Erin Hill
Gadsden County News ServiceA juvenile suspect has been arrested in connection with the fire that heavily damaged Pilgrim’s Rest Missionary Baptist Church last month in Havana.
According to Capt. Anglie Holmes with the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Jan. 25 to a reported structure fire at the church, located at 645 Gibson Sawmill Road. Multiple fire departments assisted at the scene.
An investigation conducted by the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the State Fire Marshal’s Office identified a juvenile white male as the suspect, Holmes said.
The juvenile has been charged with first-degree felonies of arson, burglary and criminal mischief of a place of worship. He was arrested and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Tallahassee.
“While the swift arrest was encouraging, I am saddened by the juvenile’s actions against a place of worship,” Young said.
The fire caused extensive damage to the church, and authorities previously said the structure appeared to be a total loss.
