Arsonist hits US mosque, leaves New Zealand graffiti

ESCONDIDO, Calif. — The arsonist suspected of setting a fire that blackened the walls of an Escondido mosque early Sunday left a message in graffiti on the driveway referencing a shooting rampage at two New Zealand mosques that left dozens dead, investigators said.

Seven people were inside the Islamic Center of Escondido when the incident happened about 3:15 a.m., Escondido police Lt. Chris Lick said. One person who was awake at the time spotted the flames, and the group managed to put out the fire before it caused serious damage.

Officers and firefighters arrived soon after and quickly determined that the fire had been intentionally set. Lick said an accelerant was used to set the blaze, although he couldn’t say which kind.

Lick said investigators found a message on the driveway referencing the March 15 shootings at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in New Zealand that left 50 people dead.

A morning prayer at the center was canceled while a team of law enforcement agencies investigated.

Escondido police and fire investigators, a regional bomb/ arson task force, and agents with the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the incident as an arson and a hate crime.

“Everyone should remain absolutely vigilant and watchful at their prayer centers,” Lick said. “If there are people who are not supposed to be there, please give us a call.”

Yusef Miller, a spokesman for the Islamic community in Escondido, echoed those sentiments, encouraging other mosques across the county to remain vigilant.