Jasper County authorities are investigating a fire at a mosque in Joplin as a case of arson. The Islamic Society of Joplin was damaged by an early morning fire Wednesday. Sheriff Archie Dunn says the facility’s security camera caught photos of a suspect they’d like to talk to.
“We’re hoping somebody can help us identify that person so we can interview them to see if they have any part in this.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has called for state and federal agencies to investigate the case as a possible hate crime. The FBI has been called in to join the investigation.
Darrin Wright at KZRG in Joplin contributed to this report.