18-year-old man and two juvenile boys admit burning a cross outside a predominantly black church
The incident took place in Sepulpa, Oklahoma.
The 18-year-old lives across the street from the church.
The three suspects, all white, have cooperated with local, state and FBI investigators.
No formal charges have been filed and the three are not incarcerated, said Lt. Charles Redfern of the Creek County Sheriff's Department. But authorities are considering filing hate crime and arson charges against them.
"They were bored and it was something to do. That's what the adult said," Redfern said of the suspects. "They did say they wish they hadn't done it."
The two juveniles were interviewed in the presence of their parents, he said. Their ages were not disclosed.
The cross, propped against a chain link fence outside St. Johns Baptist Church before it was set ablaze, was actually half of a wooden water-bed frame, Redfern said.
Investigators found the other half of the water-bed frame in a trash pile at a mobile home park across the street from the church and eventually followed leads from residents and tipsters to the three suspects, he said.
Cross burnt at black Church
18-year-old man and two juvenile boys admit burning a cross outside a predominantly black church
The incident took place in Sepulpa, Oklahoma.
The 18-year-old lives across the street from the church.
The three suspects, all white, have cooperated with local, state and FBI investigators.
No formal charges have been filed and the three are not incarcerated, said Lt. Charles Redfern of the Creek County Sheriff's Department. But authorities are considering filing hate crime and arson charges against them.
"They were bored and it was something to do. That's what the adult said," Redfern said of the suspects. "They did say they wish they hadn't done it."
The two juveniles were interviewed in the presence of their parents, he said. Their ages were not disclosed.
The cross, propped against a chain link fence outside St. Johns Baptist Church before it was set ablaze, was actually half of a wooden water-bed frame, Redfern said.
Investigators found the other half of the water-bed frame in a trash pile at a mobile home park across the street from the church and eventually followed leads from residents and tipsters to the three suspects, he said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos