FBI: Suspect in Mississippi synagogue fire targeted institution because of its ‘Jewish ties’

By SOPHIE BATES and MIKE SCHNEIDER

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The FBI says that a suspect in the arson fire at a Mississippi synagogue admitted to targeting the institution because of its “Jewish ties.”

Stephen Spencer Pittman was charged Monday with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive. In an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Mississippi on Monday, the FBI said the suspect confessed to lighting a fire inside the building “due to the building’s...