Breaking: Suspect Arrested in Houston Islamic Center Arson
Just coming across the news sites now — a suspect has been arrested in Houston in connection with the arson attack against an Islamic center.
Houston arson investigators have made an arrest in the early morning fire Friday at an Islamic center on the city’s southeast side, fire department officials said late Monday.
Darryl Ferguson, 55, of Houston, has been charged with felony first degree arson for the fire, according to HFD investigators.
The arrest was announced at a 6 p.m. news conference at HFD’s arson headquarters.
Investigators say the suspect “rolled up on his bicycle” to speak to them about the fire during an on-scene investigation Monday.
#HPD arrested Darryl Ferguson in connection with fire at #Quba Islamic Center in SE #Houston. He has a few priors… pic.twitter.com/upa9PVOrpg
— Richard Guerra (@richardassigns) February 17, 2015
More details at ABC13: HFD: Arrest Made in Islamic Center Fire in SE Houston.
The Houston Fire Department says the suspect, 55-year-old Darryl Ferguson, was charged with first-degree felony arson in connection to the Friday morning fire at the Quba Islamic Institute.
Officials say Ferguson approached detectives on his bike as they were canvasing the area around the center following the fire; Ferguson asked if they’d like to talk to him, so authorities invited him back to their office for voluntary questioning. Officials say it was then he admitted to starting the fire.
Officials say Ferguson, who lives near the center, has a previous criminal history.
Investigators confirmed last week an accelerant was used to spark the blaze, but still haven’t said the motive behind the fire.