'We are staying vigilant': San Marcos teen charged in Austin synagogue fire on Halloween
Austin Fire Department arson investigators have charged a San Marcos teenager in connection with a fire set at a synagogue in Central Austin on Halloween night.
Franklin Barrett Sechrist, 18, of San Marcos was arrested on suspicion of arson, a first-degree felony. According to an arrest affidavit, surveillance footage taken from multiple viewpoints shows the suspect driving around the Shoal Creek neighborhood, where Congregation Beth Israel is located, two nights before the incident.
"It gives us some sense of relief to learn of this arrest, but we are staying vigilant," Rabbi Steve Folberg said in a statement sent to congregation members. "Across Central Texas and beyond, we are seeing a spike in attacks against Jews."
Surveillance footage obtained by investigators shows a man carrying a 5-gallon fuel container the night of Oct. 31 as he walked onto the campus of the Reform Jewish temple in the 3900 block of Shoal Creek Boulevard near 35th Street, the affidavit says.
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Read more: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/11/11/san-marcos-teen-charged-after-fire-austin-synagogue-halloween/6384256001/