Local and federal law enforcement officers are investigating what they say may be arson at a black Savannah church founded by a City Council member, and police say two other incidents this week could also be related to the fire.
Firefighters were called to First New Afrikan Methodist Christian Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard just after midnight Friday, said Mark Keller, Savannah Fire & Emergency Services spokesman.
Savannah Alderwoman Estella Shabazz is the founder and chief bishop of the congregation.
Savannah Fire officials launched an arson investigation after they determined that the fire likely started outside the building. Investigators saw indications the fire was intentionally set, Keller said.
The fire department has asked for help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives because a church is involved, Keller said.
Firefighters quickly extinguished Friday morning’s blaze. Some of the outside rear area of the structure was damaged, but the inside of the church was in good condition.
Estella Shabazz said she and her congregation would not be deterred, and she is looking forward to moving on from the incident.
“We’re not going to stop,” she said Friday afternoon. “We are going to continue our church. Move forward ever, look back never. We’re going to continue to serve this community and the people in the city.”
Police are also investigating shots fired Wednesday evening at a neighboring restaurant owned by Shabazz and her husband, Chatham County Commissioner Yusuf Shabazz.
A white male with a beard and tattoo on his forehead, driving a black Camaro, reportedly fired several shots at people in or near Shabazz Seafood, which is next to the church, said Jason Pagliaro, advanced patrol officer with the Savannah-Chatham police department.
Officers found shell casings at the scene, but no one was struck by the bullets, and there wasn’t any visible damage. Yusuf Shabazz was at the restaurant during the incident, Pagliaro said.
On Thursday night, police responded to reports of damage to a property in Georgetown. The property is the home of one of the people fired at in Wednesday’s shooting, Pagliaro said. A threatening note was left inside the home, police said.
Police believe the three incidents, all of which are under investigation, are possibly linked.
Anyone with information regarding any of these cases should call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A confidential tip line also is open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124.