Because the church fires were amid black churches, various media including CNN had previously attached a racial component to the arson attacks…

saint louis arsonist 2ST. LOUIS • David Lopez Jackson, 35, was charged Friday afternoon with two in a string of seven church fires this month but authorities say they don’t yet know the motive.

The charges, two counts of second-degree arson, list his address as in the 200 block of Presley Road in the Glasgow Village area of unincorporated St. Louis County. He was held in lieu of $75,000 bail, according to court documents.

Forensic evidence and video of his car link Jackson to the fires, Police Chief Sam Dotson said. A container of gasoline and a Thermos bottle that smelled of gasoline were found in his car, Dotson said.

Asked about a motive, Dotson said, “We’re still trying to understand that.”

Dotson did not specifically accuse Jackson of the other church fires but said he is a suspect, and suggested that further investigation may result in additional charges for additional crimes.

Although the locations of the fires in predominantly African American neighborhoods gave rise to speculation that the motive might be race-related, Jackson is black.  (read more)

saint louis arsonist

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