Individual Arrested for Arson of Historic Brooklyn Church

 

South Bushwick Reformed Church Was Built in the 1850s, Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a New York City Landmark

A criminal complaint was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging John Jones with intentionally setting fire to the South Bushwick Reformed Church (the Church) located at 855 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, on June 19, 2026.  Jones was arrested earlier today in Manhattan and will make his initial appearance at a later date in the Eastern District of New York. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, New York Division (ATF); Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Lillian Bonsignore, Commissioner, New York City Fire Department (FDNY), announced the arrest. 

“As alleged, Jones intentionally set fire to a historic and beloved church, significantly damaging the structure,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “I commend the Special Agents and the NYPD Detectives who have worked tirelessly to identify and apprehend the perpetrator of this senseless act that has deeply wounded the Church’s congregation and the entire Bushwick community. Our Office will vigorously prosecute Jones to the full extent of the law.  Arson is a terrible crime that strikes at the heart of public safety and endangers first responders.”

“This arrest reflects the strength of our law enforcement partnerships. Through the coordinated efforts of the ATF Arson & Explosives Task Force, NYPD, FDNY, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office EDNY, we acted swiftly to hold the individual allegedly responsible accountable for setting fire to a historic church that has been part of New York City’s fabric since the 1850s,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo.

“This defendant placed countless Brooklyn residents at risk when he recklessly set fire to the South Bushwick Reformed Church in broad daylight,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “New Yorkers deserve to practice their faith freely and without fear, and the destruction of this sacred New York City landmark will be met with swift justice. I thank the NYPD investigators and our law enforcement partners for their work to hold this individual accountable.”

“The intentional burning of a house of worship is an attack on a historic building and on the sense of safety and community it represents,” stated FDNY Commissioner Bonsignore.  “This fire placed lives at risk, including the first responders who responded to protect the church and the surrounding neighborhood. We are grateful for the outstanding work of our partners at the ATF, NYPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office that led to this arrest. We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to hold those responsible for these dangerous crimes accountable.”

The Church was constructed in the 1850s and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.  It was also designated as a New York City Landmark in 1968.

As set forth in the complaint, between approximately 12:12 p.m. and 12:47 p.m. on June 19, 2026, Jones was captured on surveillance video attempting unsuccessfully to enter the Church.  At approximately 12:30 p.m., Jones was observed on surveillance video inside a convenience store that was a short walking distance from the Church. He asked the cashier “for a lighter” and then paid for the lighter.  Jones then returned to the Church, walking on and around the Church property and within the Church gates.  A photo taken by a witness at about 1:27 p.m. shows smoke and low burning on an area of the Bushwick Avenue side of the Church. Jones appears to have approached areas of the Church exterior near to the location where low burning ultimately appears on the front of the Church.

The charge in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, Jones faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, and a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.