Florida Woman Suspects Son in Synagogue Arson

A Florida woman had suspicions about her son after noticing a missing gas can from her garage on the night of a synagogue arson on September 19. The incident occurred at Chabad in Charlotte County, and her son, Blake Hoover, had indicated he was out at the time. According to a police report, she called him, pleading with him not to commit arson.

Later on, the mother found the gas can returned to the garage but empty. When she confronted Hoover, he allegedly responded, “I just sprayed the letter J.”

Her suspicions deepened as she recalled his past anti-Semitic comments and threats. Additionally, she reached out to his sister to express her concerns that Hoover might be involved in the fire, and his aunt reported that she had observed him with a black spray paint can on the night of the arson.

The mother informed law enforcement that her son reportedly expressed hatred towards Jewish people among others. When Hoover interacted with police on September 22 regarding an unrelated hit-and-run incident, she speculated that he could be linked to the arson.

Hoover, 31, has been charged with arson and criminal mischief following this incident. According to a press release from Punta Gorda Police, firefighters responded to a fire alarm at the synagogue around 10:48 PM on September 19. They discovered that an accelerant had been used to ignite a fire on the rear wall of a child’s classroom.

Police reports indicate the letter “J” was spray-painted on various surfaces at the property. Fortunately, there were no individuals inside the building at the time of the fire.

Hoover made his first court appearance on Tuesday, where a bond of $25,000 was set for the criminal mischief charges. The bond for the arson charges is still pending due to an upcoming detention hearing. His next court date is scheduled for November 3.