Deputies Seek 'Person Of Interest' In Recent Mosque Arson

UNIVERSITY PLACE, WA — The Pierce County Sheriff's Department has identified a person of interest who they believe may be involved in a recent attack on a Tacoma-area mosque.

At around 8:10 p.m. on Oct. 11, someone set fire to the Islamic Center of Tacoma.

According to deputies, there were occupants inside the building when the fire started — the Islamic Center's website shows an evening prayer is regularly scheduled at the mosque from 7:50 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. — but everyone managed to safely evacuate, and no injuries have been reported.

Now, deputies say they might have a lead, but are asking the public to help identify a person of interest.

A $1,000 reward is being offered to whoever can correctly identify the suspect in this case. Tips can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound by calling 1-800-222-TIPS.

Detectives have not officially called the fire a hate crime. However, the center's imam told The News Tribune the fire had left his community in shock, and the left the building unusable.

The incident is the latest in a small series of arson incidents across Puget Sound. In July, a fire damaged seven White Center businesses and destroyed the Lumber Yard, a popular LGBTQIA+ venue, Seattle Eater reported. And in August, Puget Sound Fire confirmed its arson investigators were looking into a series of vehicle fires in SeaTac, Burien and Tukwila.