Minnesota

St. Paul police say a 42-year-old man is in custody in connection with a fire that gutted a community center and mosque.

A Twitter post says the suspect was arrested around 8 p.m. Wednesday for the fire earlier that morning at the Oromo American Tawhid Islamic Center. He is currently being held on suspicion of first-degree arson.

Criminal records show the man was previously charged and convicted of arson in 2020 for a fire set in his room at the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul. In that case the suspect agreed to be taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.

He was later sentenced to an additional 30 days in jail for violating the terms of his sentencing by failing to check in with a probation officer and not remaining law-abiding.

While police have identified the suspect, KARE 11 will not name him until criminal charges are officially filed.