The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s office says tips from the community led to this suspect, 32-year old Joseph Schreiber.
Advertisement
Thompson said a search warrant was executed at Schreiber’s home, where investigators reported finding evidence linked to the arson, as well as anti-Islamic social media posts. A large fire engulfed the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce early Monday morning, occurring on the Muslim holy days of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice.
In order for the U.S.to experience peace and security, it “should consider all forms of ISLAM as radical, the truth is that there is no such a thing as radical ISLAMIC extremism.ALL ISLAM IS RADICAL”, according to a Facebook post in July by Schreiber that was riddled with grammatical errors.
No one was inside the building at the time, but the blaze forced the congregation to hold prayer services elsewhere.
At the news conference, Thompson said detectives were still questioning Schreiber on Wednesday evening, and he didn’t say if Schreiber had a lawyer.
Schreiber faces at least 30 years in prison if convicted.
Schreiber allegedly set the fire three months to the day after Omar Mateen killed 49 people and injured 53 others inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, which is roughly two hours from Fort Pierce.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office told reporters afterward that surveillance video showed a man riding up to the building on a motorcycle, getting off the bike and approaching the mosque with a bottle of liquid and papers moments before flames erupted.
Schrieber is no stranger to law enforcement. The Orlando Sentinel reported Schreiber is being held in the St. Lucie County Jail without bail.
If he’s found to be a habitual offender, he could face life in prison.
It was unclear Wednesday whether Schreiber has an attorney representing him.
Schreiber was previously sentenced twice to state prison for theft, according to records from the Florida Department of Corrections.
Advertisement
Leaders from the Fort Pierce Islamic Center said they started receiving violent threats after reports revealed that Omar Mateen and his family sometimes attended the mosque. In June a motorcycle gang circled the property and shouted at its members, and in July a Muslim man was beaten outside the mosque.
