Mosque Set Ablaze In California In Possible Hate Crime

Police are investigating the fire at California mosque as an arson and possible hate crime after a note was discovered that mentioned New Zealand mosques shooting

California (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 25th March, 2019) An arsonist had allegedly torched a mosque in California early on Sunday, leaving behind a note that referenced the massacre of 50 Muslim worshippers in New Zealand.

Police are investigating the fire at California mosque as an arson and possible hate crime after a note was discovered that mentioned the recent shootings at two New Zealand mosques, authorities said.

Police and firefighters were called to the Islamic Centre of Escondido, north of San Diego, early on Sunday about a fire that blackened an outside wall,

Congregants at the centre smelled smoke, spotted the fire and put it out before it caused serious damage, before fire-fighters arrived, media reported.

No one was injured in the fire.

Police however found a fresh graffiti on the mosque's driveway that referenced the March 15 shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, that left 50 people dead and others seriously injured from a gunman who published a hate-filled manifesto on social media, the police said.

The exact words in the graffiti message were not released by police.

Morning prayers at the mosque were cancelled as law enforcement investigated the scene.

Escondido Police Lieutenant Chris Lick said that it appeared that a chemical accelerant was used to set the fire.

No suspects have so far been reported.