NEW CANEY, Texas — FBI Houston on Friday announced an up to $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the man responsible for setting fire to a New Caney Buddhist temple in November.
Officials called the attack on the Huyen Trang Temple a firebombing, saying the man used Molotov cocktails. It happened on November 5, 2023 around 9:45 p.m.
“While we don’t yet know the suspect’s motive in this case, his attempt to burn down the Buddhist temple in New Caney is disgraceful,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “Our churches and temples should be safe havens for all people, not sites subjected to intimidation, destruction, and violence.”
A monk was asleep on the floor in the area where the fire started, officials said.
The FBI described the man as being around 5 feet, 8 inches tall or 5 feet, 10 inches tall. He was wearing a Nike backpack, a ballcap, gloves, military-style boots and a neck gaiter that covered part of his face.
FBI Houston provided these surveillance photos of the man they believe to be responsible:
If you have any information regarding who the man is or where he may be, you're asked to contact the FBI's Toll-Free Tip Line at 1-800-225-5324.