Three burnt crosses were found outside a church in Los Angeles on Thursday, and authorities are now investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Firefighters who were called to a ‘garbage fire’ in front of the Sylmer Christian Fellowship Church found smoldering wood and a worn-out fire, said Nicholas Prange, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). said in. statement. The matter is under investigation by the LAFD and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

The Los Angeles Police Department announced Thursday evening. facebook post The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Office of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are also investigating the incident as a possible hate crime, saying “all investigative resources will be used to apprehend those responsible.” Let’s go,” he said.

Warning to community about hate crime arson pic.twitter.com/5AgeeITbFr

— Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters (@LAPDHQ) July 7, 2023

The Los Angeles Police Department issued a community alert on Twitter, denouncing the incident as a “hate crime arson” and calling on the public to provide information about the crime. (Related article: Canada’s ‘Black Lives Matter’ leader reportedly charged with hate crimes against Catholics)

“It’s a shame that people still want to do this in this day and age,” said the church’s pastor, Pierre Howard. Associated Press.

Howard also noted that his congregation is multiracial and diverse, saying, “We have Hispanics, we have blacks, we have whites. We are just like you. Here we come. We don’t really care. We’re seeing everyone. If you’re in the building, you’re in the building.”

The church has been in the community for about 30 years, and Howard became a pastor when his father died, according to the Associated Press.