Reward Announced for Information on Possible Hate Crime

The FBI and Lafayette area law enforcement are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual(s) responsible for the burning of a car at the Islamic Center of Lafayette.

On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at 1:14 a.m., the Lafayette Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire located in the parking lot of the Islamic Center of Lafayette, 700 Tulane Avenue, Lafayette, Louisiana. The vehicle was owned by a member of the Islamic Center who had permission to park at the Islamic Center. Authorities are looking into the possibility that the fire may have been set as part of a hate crime.

A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the car fire. The investigation is being worked jointly between the FBI, Lafayette Police Department, Lafayette Fire Department Arson Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Anyone with information regarding this matter is encouraged to contact the FBI at (337) 233-2164 or the Lafayette Police Department (337) 291-8600.