A fire at a predominantly black church in North Carolina was likely arson, Charlotte police suspect, and investigators will try to determine if it was a hate crime.
The fire at Briar Creek Baptist Church was reported via a 911 call on Wednesday morning. By the time it was put out, officials estimated it caused $250,000 worth of damage.
"At this time, investigators have no direct evidence that the fire was a hate crime," Charlotte Fire Department Spokeswoman Cynthia Robbins Shah-Khan
told CNN. "That is one of many possibilities, and investigators are following the evidence to determine who is responsible for the fire."
Mannix Kinsey, the pastor, said that roughly 85 people regularly worship at the church.
"Honestly, I can speak for this church," he said. "We've already forgiven them and we want to move forward. And we are hoping this is an opportunity for Christ to show himself in their hearts."
"But thank God, the damage that was done wasn't as bad as we thought it could be," said Kinsey.
Sam Triantis, a neighbor, said "There's no hate. Here, we have 200 nationalities in this neighborhood, and we get along just fine."