Three days after congregants of an Old East Village church were barricaded inside of their place of worship and a fire set just outside the doors, charges of attempted murder and arson have been laid.
London police were called about the serious incident at The Redeemed Christian Church Of God Grace Assembly at 360 Adelaide Street North 8:40 p.m. on Friday.
Investigators determined through video surveillance and witness statements that a man who had been inside exited the church and blocked the doors so others could not leave. He then set a fire in close proximity to the building before damaging the tires on three vehicles in the parking lot and walking away.
About 50 people were inside the church at the time. They managed to escape and extinguish the fire before it spread to the church.
No injuries were reported and the church was not damaged.
Christopher Richard Hoffman, 46, of London was arrested on Sunday. He has since been charged with attempted murder, arson with disregard for human life, and mischief under $5,000.
He appeared in London court in relation to the charges on the same day as his arrest.
“While there is no indication at this time that this incident is hate-motivated, police continue to investigate the matter,” police said in a statement on Monday.
Police also clarified earlier reports that the man had been asked to leave the church were not true and that he had left the building on his own.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
