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Authorities are investigating a fire that destroyed an eight-foot cross outside Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church in Kingston. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning (July 23), when an unknown person set the cross ablaze. The Kingston Fire Department responded quickly, extinguishing the flames before they could spread to the church building, according to Hudson Valley One.
The cross, a gift from a former parishioner who passed away years ago, was damaged, but the church itself remained unharmed. The Kingston Police Department, New York State Arson Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are conducting a joint investigation. Police Chief Egidio Tinti has not confirmed whether the incident is being treated as a hate crime, as reported by Times Union.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Detective Ernie Vandemark at (845) 943-5751. They are also seeking surveillance footage that might help identify the suspect. News10 ABC noted that the investigation is ongoing, with multiple agencies involved in the effort to find the perpetrator.