After a church in Chattanooga was burned to the ground last week, several others in the state have received “concerning” letters, according to one county sheriff’s office.
“The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of a very concerning letter being left on the front door of several local churches, a Masonic lodge, and at least one business,” the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office said Monday. “The letters did not speak about any direct threats, but it is being taken incredibly seriously because of the disturbing content. Because of the ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide any more details about the contents of the letters at this time.”
The letters were reportedly left at five Baptist churches in the county.
Campbell County Sheriff Robbie Goins did not return a comment request seeking information about the content of the letters, but authorities remain on edge.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting the sheriff’s office in the investigation.
“We want to know about these letters if you find any,” Goins reportedly said. “We want to know that we’re safe. We want to know that our people are safe. At this point, I think we are, but we are not going to take any chances.”
Last week, authorities determined that a June 10 fire at historic Phillips Chapel and Chauncey-Goode Auditorium in Chattanooga, which left the structure nearly completely destroyed, was set intentionally.
A photo of a suspect – a man riding a bicycle near the scene of the alleged crime – was later released.
Churches have been on high alert nationwide since a draft leak of a Supreme Court opinion in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which could lead to the infamous Roe v. Wade decision being overturned.
Several Catholic churches nationwide have reported threats and vandalism since the draft decision was leaked in May, and pro-life pregnancy centers have also been targeted with violence.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
