Memphis police say a quiet Buddhist temple on Jefferson Avenue turned into a crime scene on Monday, after a woman allegedly vandalized religious statues and then set part of the building on fire while a monk was still inside. The suspect was taken into custody at the scene following a vandalism call, according to officers.
Police: Monk witnessed vandalism before the fire
According to Action News 5, Memphis police arrested 45-year-old Trang Le after an MPD affidavit stated that a monk inside the temple saw her vandalizing two statues. The affidavit, as reported by the station, says Le then set fire to the west side of the building and to two air-conditioning units.
Investigators estimated roughly $10,500 in damage to the temple, according to the report. The monk was inside during the incident, but police have not publicly detailed whether anyone was injured.
City has seen other arson attacks on houses of worship
The fire comes as Memphis is already on edge over recent attacks involving sacred and historic spaces. Last year, the city watched another beloved site suffer major damage when the civil rights landmark Clayborn Temple downtown was ravaged in an intentional blaze. That Clayborn Temple arson drew in federal investigators from the ATF and rattled congregations across the area.
Charges and legal next steps
Le has been charged with vandalism and assault, Action News 5 reported, and Memphis police say the case is still under investigation. Authorities have not said if prosecutors will pursue additional arson-related counts beyond the vandalism and assault charges listed in the affidavit.
As of Thursday, officials had not publicly posted a court date or any information about bail in the case. Police say the investigation remains active as they continue reviewing evidence and the affidavit. Investigators report the temple sustained about $10,500 in damage.
