A Rhode Island man is facing charges after he allegedly set several fires at a predominantly Black church in North Providence, sparking outrage and concern among community members and law enforcement officials. According to Boston.com, 35-year-old Kevin Colantonio of North Providence was arrested and charged with using gasoline to start the fires at the Shiloh Gospel Temple early on Sunday morning.
The grim details of the case suggest a racially motivated attack. U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, Zachary Cunha, elaborated yesterday that police and firefighters quickly responded to reports of an individual trying to set fires at the church. The scene was brought under control before any injuries could occur, but not before significant property damage was inflicted. "Had they not acted as swiftly and as surely as they did, there is every indication that the damage to this house of worship would have been catastrophic," Cunha said in a statement obtained by Boston.com.
The Shiloh Gospel Temple has been a fixture for roughly 35 years, serving a congregation primarily composed of Black and African American members. Investigators claim to have uncovered disturbing evidence in Colantonio's home — notebooks and writings with phrases such as "burn churches down to the ground," "hunt them down," and "gun everyone down who isn't white." These details were reported in a comprehensive investigation by The Boston Globe, highlighting a shocking level of premeditation and racial hatred.
Colantonio's arrest came without incident, as detailed by several law enforcement agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, North Providence Police, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The judgement from U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia Sullivan arrived swiftly. Colantonio was ordered held without bail, with prosecutors considering him as "an extreme danger to the community," as Assistant United States attorney Peter Roklan read aloud from Colantonio's own handwritten notebooks during court proceedings. "The statements were 'disturbing writing which give insight to his motives,'" Roklan said, according to an interview conducted by The Boston Globe.
Adding to the timeline of events, North Providence Police Chief Alfredo Ruggiero Jr. revealed that the incident began when the building owner was alerted to a break-in attempt by his Ring doorbell camera. In a rather fast response, flames were reported and quelled before they could cause more than material harm. The investigation unfolded rapidly, with Colantonio being caught on camera purchasing gasoline and also matched to a credit card used days earlier. The church is expected to reopen on Friday evening, with Ruggiero assuring that their services and the public will be safe.
The case continues to develop as the investigation delves into the background and prior interactions Colantonio may have had with the church, with a hearing set for Feb. 28. The disturbing incident has cast a glaring spotlight on the enduring reality of racial animus and its manifestation in violent, divisive acts such as the attempted arson of a sacred place of worship.
