A 60-year-old Mayfair man was arrested Thursday and charged in connection with the arson fire last week at a Northeast Philadelphia mosque, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf said Thursday.
Read more Phillies will open the 2027 season at the Washington Nationals
On July 5 around 2 a.m., Vincent Lang allegedly threw an incendiary device into the entrance of the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center on the 1400 block of Tyson Avenue. The mosque was unoccupied and no injuries were reported.
Two days later, investigators received a tip that Lang allegedly was the perpetrator.
Federal investigators conducted surveillance at Lang’s home and observed his black 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe had handwritten messages on the rear and passenger side windows that included “White Pride” and “F- Islam,” the criminal complaint said.
Stickers on the back of Lang’s vehicle included one that appeared to say “Federal Terrorist Hunting License,” the complaint said.
Investigators found what they believed was a Facebook account allegedly used by Lang. On July 10, a post was created on the account that included anti-Islamic comments and also a comment using racial slurs about the rape of a young girl.
Lang also allegedly commented on posts about the arson investigation: “How can it be a hate crime they might have done it out of love,” the comment said with a red heart emoji.
Read more ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say
Lang was charged with one count of maliciously damaging or destroying by means of fire any building or property used in interstate commerce, or attempting to do so.
If convicted, Lang faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years’ imprisonment, Metcalf said.
After the attack, Masukul Islam Khan, the mosque’s president said: “Our mosque is more than a place of worship. It is a welcoming community center that has served families, neighbors, and people of all backgrounds for many years.”
He added: “Any act of violence or hatred directed at a house of worship is an attack on the values of safety, religious freedom, and unity that our city cherishes.”
Metcalf said the case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Arson and Explosives Task Force, with assistance from the FBI, Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office Special Investigations Unit, Philadelphia Police Department, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda R. Reinitz and J. Jeanette Kang, with the assistance of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Metcalf said.
Read more Police officer ‘legally justified’ in shooting of Pottstown man, Chester County DA says