The Phoenix Fire Department has released footage of a man dousing an LGBTQ youth center in gasoline about two weeks ago and the building catching fire. Thankfully nobody was hurt, but the center was completely destroyed.
The youth center is run by an organization called One-n-Ten. Officials had first believed the fire was an accident, but since the release of the video, they have named a suspect: Darren William Beach Jr., age 26, who reportedly has used the 24-year-old center’s services “on and off for about three years.”
The center offered activities and an online high school program for LGBT youth. Up to 40 teens and young adults could be seen in the center on any given night, according to the Phoenix Business Journal, and the 3,000-square-foot space served about 1,000 people a year.
Passing by the road on the day of the blaze and “seeing seven firetrucks in front of the building was like a punch in the gut,” Elliott told the Business Journal. The organization lost supplies and electronic equipment, food, hygiene and personal products, and camping equipment.
“Our youth whom we serve have been worried,” the organization said on its website. “Some are shaken. Our staff has been juggling the many issues that surrounded this loss with a great deal of professionalism, but also heartache and long hours.”
But One-n-1o now plans to move to a new location, which it anticipates opening in September. It has opened a temporary location to support the youth who use the program.
Speechless. This is horrifying. If you can, donate to One-n-Ten here.
Just a small reminder that the Nazis first book burning was of The Institut für Sexualwissenschaft.
Terrifying video shows man setting Phoenix LGBTQ youth center on fire
theclumsiestninja 