The FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Department is investigating an arson attack, believed to be a terrorist fire bomb, which was set off on Friday December 11, 2015 at noon local time at the Islamic Society of Coachella Valley mosque, in California. The fire bomb damaged the front of the mosque’s lobby. No one was injured.

On December 12, 2015, KESQ News reported on that “Riverside County Sheriff’s Department says a person of interest” was being held in association with the attack on the mosque. The sheriff’s department called the fire bomb an intentional act, and was being investigated as a hate crime.

KESQ News reported: “Riverside County Jail Records show 23-year-old Carl James Dial Jr., was booked into the Indio jail at 1.46 a.m for several felony charges including arson and a hate crime. Dial is listed as a white male, from Palm Desert.”

On December 12, the New York Times reported: “Congregants at the Islamic Society of Coachella Valley had started arriving for 1 p.m. prayers when they heard a ‘loud boom’ shortly after noon, Reymundo Nour, the mosque’s acting imam, said. Soon, the front of the mosque erupted into flames. More than a dozen firefighters arrived within minutes and contained the fire to the lobby, although there was smoke damage throughout the building, officials said. No one was injured.”  Details are limited on this incident. Other reports suggested there was a significant number of Yemeni-American worshipers going to the mosque.

Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz released the following statements:

After the attack: “I am deeply concerned about the Islamic Society of the Coachella Valley Mosque going up in flames. I call for a thorough investigation to this arson as a possible hate crime and to bring the perpetrators to justice. I will continue to closely monitor the fire, the possible criminal investigation, and the safety of the members of the mosque. Our faith in humanity will not be intimidated and we stand together against any form violence towards the innocent.”

During the investigation: “One suspect is in custody. The investigation is ongoing. I have been on the phone with federal and local law enforcement agencies and faith leaders to ensure peace and security for the innocent. I’m very thankful for the rapid and professional manner the ATF, FBI, Sherrif’s Department, and Cal Fire have responded and investigated the arson attack as a possible hate crime.”

AP reported that: “John Dial told NBC News he saw his son carrying a backpack on Friday and he assumed he was going to class at a local college. He said his son struggled socially. ‘He was caught up in social media. Social media has produced people like my son, without person-to-person contact,’ the father said. ‘I believe he was lacking in social skills.’ ”

Another relative of the man arrested for the terrorist attack stated on Facebook: “I am not trying to defend him…I know his actions were reprehensible .But he, in no way, ever mentioned or even gave off the impression that he would do something like this. He was disturbed and depressed. There are no words to describe how sorry we are that this happened.”  “He is ill. He needs help. And I’m not saying this because “hes white”. Im saying this because I’ve seen it. He desperately needs mental help.”

As R.E.A.L. stated when we first heard of this attack, “Terrorist hate is ALWAYS wrong.”

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands in support of our universal human rights for all, and we stand in defiance against those, including terrorist and hate groups, which seek to attack such universal human rights, dignity, and security for all.