Lake Charles police are investigating a church arson and vandalism in the city.
Police say the arson happened around 8 a.m. on Wednesday at New Shiloh Baptist Church at 600 N. Simmons Street in Lake Charles.
Both the city’s police and fire departments responded to the location in regards to that fire.
Security cameras captured a suspect approaching the building with a five-gallon bucket of possible flammable liquid. The suspect allegedly attempted to get into into the church by kicking in the glass doors.
Unable to gain entry, police say the suspect then can be seen breaking out a side window on the church and throwing the bucket of liquid into the building. The suspect allegedly made multiple trips to the broken window, throwing lit items into the building.
Police say that a vehicle that makes multiple passes by the church during the occurrence was also captured on video. It is unknown if the person or persons in the vehicle took part in the incident or witnessed the incident.
Anyone who has information about this arson is asked to contact the Lake Charles Fire Department or the Lake Charles Police Department.
The extent of damage from the fire and vandalism was not clear.
