A Louisiana deputy’s son who suggested he had a relationship with a type of music associated with church burnings was arrested in connection with three fires at historically black churches in St. Landry Parish, according to the state fire marshal’s office.
Holden Matthews, 21, was booked on three counts of simple arson of a religious building, officials said. At a press conference, state and federal officials did not say what Matthews’ motive was, but the FBI is working to determine if the incidents were bias-motivated.
Louisiana State Fire Marshal “Butch” Browning Jr. said at the press conference that the investigation is extremely active and authorities are vetting several motives.
“Matthews had offered through suggestions and connections, a relationship with a type of music called black metal and its association in history with church burnings in other parts of the world which had been documented in movies and books,” Browning said.
According to The Daily Beast, a Facebook page that apparently belonged to Matthews showed he was active in pagan and black metal pages. The Beast reported that Matthews’s Facebook activity suggests he was familiar with a former far-right neo-Nazi metal musician who was sentenced to prison for killing another metal musician and burning churches in Norway.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said that while he did not know the suspect’s motive or what was in his heart, he said that the events cannot be justified or rationalized. Edwards said a fire at a separate black church in Caddo Parish was unrelated to the St. Landry Parish fires.
“These were evil acts,” Edwards said, adding that hate is not a Louisiana value and that violence has no place in the state’s communities.
“This is a reflection of one depraved individual, it is not a reflection on the state of Louisiana,” Edwards said.
Citing Psalm:62, Edwards said “God is our fortress and we will never be shaken.” He asked those listening to the press conference to join him in praying for healing and restoration and for the affected congregations.
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The fires happened within 10 days at similar sites — rural, African American churches fronting small cemeteries. Each was gutted by flames that left only partial shells of brick walls standing.
The first fire was on March 26 at St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre, the second fire was on April 2 at the Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas and the third fire was reported at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas.
The fire marshal’s office said that investigators have determined that the fires were intentionally set.
Browning also spoke of the important role the pastors played in the investigation; praying for law enforcement and acting as agents of information and becoming calming a voice in the community.
Authorities are now working with pastors to help them design their next buildings.
St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said the suspect’s father is a fine man who was shocked and hurt when he heard the news. Guidroz added that the father was in terrible shape and knew nothing of his son’s activities.
This report will be updated as new details are learned. Refresh for updates.