5 replies to this topic

[Yervant1]

FOX 26 News

April 14 2024

 

Arsonist targeting Armenian cemetery, is it a hate crime

by Sheldon Gajarian

Fresno, Calif. — Since the middle of January, the Fresno Ararat Armenian Cemetery has been targeted by an arsonist.

Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance.

Both Fresno Police and Fire have been called out to the Belmont and Hughes property, but no arrests have been made.

 

"As you can imagine, this is horribly upsetting to my Board of Directors, the Armenian community, and my staff and me. We are the only Armenian cemetery outside Armenia and the Middle East; our mission is to serve Armenian families with compassion in their time of need, while also keeping alive the memory of all who are buried here. The Board, my staff, and I take this mission very seriously. It would be impossible to overstate how upsetting this is to us." Said Sheri Manning-Cartwright, Executive Director/Administrator of Ararat Armenian Cemetery and Masis Ararat Armenian Cemetery.

The fires have been in the oldest part of the cemetery which was founded in 1885. There are gates and an archway that clearly identify the property as Armenian. This is concerning with the upcoming Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day April 24th, that this could be a hate crime.

The estimate to remove and replace the trees is approximately $25,000. The board of directors is not sure if insurance will cover the cost.

If you have any information or think you may have seen something, call Fresno Police at 559-621-7000.

https://kmph.com/new...-crime-genocide

 

 

 

[MosJan]

some are saying it  was homeless 

[MosJan]

https://lamag.com/cr...o-hit-by-arsons

 

Armenian Cemetery in Fresno Hit by Arsons
Cemetery has been attacked six times since January

 

An Armenian cemetery in Fresno has been the victim of six arson attacks since January.

According to KMPH Fox 26, the Fresno Ararat Armenian Cemetery was targeted again on Friday night when eight trees were set ablaze along the entrance to the cemetery. The attacks have burned more than a dozen “old growth” trees.

[MosJan]

https://www.oragark....unity-outraged/

[Yervant1]

FOX 26 News

April 16 2024

 

 

Armenian cemetery fire found to be arson, but not hate crime

by Michael Tellez

 

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The fires that caused severe damage to the Fresno Ararat Armenian Cemetery Sunday afternoon were found to be arson, but not a hate crime.

According to the Fresno Fire Department, firefighters responded to the cemetery on Sunday for reports of several trees on fire in the clearly marked Armenian section of the cemetery, leading the community to fear a possible hate crime.

However after an investigation, firefighters found the fires were intentionally set, but that they do not appear to be hate-related due to other cemeteries and properties also being targeted.

 

Based on witness statements and the fires occurring in multiple cemeteries, these fires do not appear to be a targeted attack, but rather crimes of opportunity.

In response to these arson fires, the Fresno Police and Fresno Fire Department have increased their patrols in the area.

Investigators have also been collecting evidence and speaking to witnesses to try to find the suspect or suspects responsible.

As the investigation continues, we urge the community to report any suspicious activity.

If you have any information about these fires, you can contact the Fresno Fire Department at 621-4199 or the Fresno Police Department at 621-7000.

 

https://kmph.com/new...igation-suspect

[Yervant1]

April 24 2024

 

Arsonist strikes Armenian Cemetery again, burning 20 trees since January

Law enforcement is not calling the incidents a hate crime yet because other cemeteries in the area have been hit as well over the last few months, along with the fact that they don’t have a suspect in hand and a known motive.

BYDANIEL GLIGICH

 

Fresno is scheduled to raise the Armenian flag in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide on Wednesday, but the local Armenian cemetery continues to be struck with arson, an issue that has been ongoing for months. 

Other cemeteries neighboring Ararat Armenian Cemetery in southwest Fresno have also been hit by arson, leading law enforcement to hold off on calling the fires a hate crime. 

The backstory: An arsonist has struck Ararat Armenian Cemetery and its neighbors on the 160-acre land 11 times since Jan. 13. 

• In total there have been around 30 trees damaged, with 20 trees torched at Ararat Armenian Cemetery, according to the Fresno Fire Department. 

Driving the news: The most recent incident took place late Sunday night when two police officers were already nearby dealing with another incident when they noticed that some trees were on fire at Ararat Armenian Cemetery. 

• The arsonist has been targeting cypress trees, which the fire department said are very flammable and an easier target for arson than other trees. 
• Nine of the 11 incidents have occurred late at night. 

The big picture: Fire officials said at a press conference Tuesday that they have a suspect that they are trying to get in touch with. 

• Without a suspect in hand and a known motive, the fire department is not calling the arson a hate crime at this point. 
• Valley Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for anyone who can help law enforcement find the arsonist. 

What they’re saying: “We don’t have a suspect, so without a suspect we do always keep that avenue open,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Jay Tracy when asked if the incidents constitute a hate crime. “But at this point we have nothing that would lead us to believe that this is any sort of hate crime.” 

https://sjvsun.com/n...-since-january/