Hamilton police say the investigation into the arson of a local mosque is now being treated as a hate crime after a 34-year-old man allegedly attempted to set fire to the building.
Det. Carmen Pietroniro said police executed two search warrants Friday for the man’s phone and private Facebook messages.
“We were able to read those, and those messages indicated to us that this was a planned, deliberate attack on a mosque,” Pietroniro told Global News.
READ MORE: Hamilton man charged after allegedly setting fire to mosque: police
Emergency crews were called to the Ibrahim Jame Mosque on King Street East before 11:30 p.m. Sept. 14 after a report of a fire.
Police alleged a man tried to set fire to the building’s entrance before running away. People nearby were able to put out the fire before the Hamilton Fire Department arrived.
The man was arrested by officers at the scene after witnesses followed the suspect and reported his location, police said.
Hamilton resident Keith Frederick was arrested Thursday and charged with arson.
Pietroniro said police will continue to oppose bail.
“What happens at this point is the arson investigation moves forward and when that is concluded, upon sentencing, that is where the hate bias piece would come into play,” he said, adding police will ask the court to consider factoring in hate bias during sentencing.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
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