A 33-year-old South Carolina man was arrested in New York City Nov. 21 after police say he damaged several religious fixtures inside St. Matthew Catholic Church in Crown Heights, a neighborhood in central Brooklyn, during a morning prayer service.
According to the The Tablet, the newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn, the incident occurred around 11:20 a.m. local time inside the church when Keeonn Wilson allegedly entered and deliberately toppled three heavy pieces: two 5- to 6-foot wrought-iron votive candle stands and a tall censer stand. The NYPD estimated the damage at approximately $7,500.
Church staff called 911, and Wilson remained at the scene. Responding officers took him into custody without incident or use of force, according to police. Wilson has been charged with three counts of second-degree criminal mischief.
The Tablet reported that the diocese issued a statement praising the NYPD’s quick response and expressing hope that the man receives any needed mental-health support.
“The parishioners will keep this man in their prayers as they pray for the sick and distressed in their community every day,” the statement said. “We are hopeful this man could receive the mental health assistance he needs.”
The diocesean spokesperson also noted concern over recent vandalism targeting religious institutions in New York City, stating, “The recent string of acts against houses of worship throughout our city is unsettling.”
Recent vandalism incidents have targeted multiple houses of worship in New York City, including anti-Christian graffiti at three Queens churches on Oct. 5 and swastikas painted at three Jewish sites in Brooklyn on Nov. 5.
The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is assisting in the investigation, though police have not announced a hate-crime enhancement or released information on motive or potential mental-health factors.
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