Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 20 March 2025

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters. 

Mississippi Man Indicted for Federal Civil Rights and Arson Charges for Setting Fire to Mormon Church 

A Mississippi man, Stefan Day was indicted on federal civil rights and arson charges for setting fire to a Mormon church in Wiggins, Mississippi, on July 5 and July 7, 2024. He faces six counts, including arson, religious property destruction, and using fire to commit a felony. If convicted, Day could face up to 20 years in prison for each arson or civil rights charge and a minimum of 10 years for the fire-related felony. The FBI, along with other agencies, investigated the case. 

Analyst Comments: Arson continues to be a popular attack method given the low sophistication needed to pull off such an attack. CISA has reported that arsons increased 29.8% between 2021 and 2022. In their most recent Fire as a Weapon guide, CISA notes the importance of engaging with local emergency medical service (EMS) personnel to develop an Emergency Action Plan, while also employing surveillance equipment to adequately monitor suspicious activity.  

Suspect surrenders to police after hours-long standoff near CIA headquarters in Virginia 

A suspect surrendered after an hours-long standoff near the CIA headquarters in Virginia. Law enforcement responded to reports of a man near the complex, which led to a tense situation. The standoff occurred early in the day and drew attention from federal authorities, including the FBI and other agencies. The suspect eventually gave himself up peacefully, and no injuries were reported. Authorities did not immediately provide more details on the nature of the incident or the identity of the suspect.  

More Resources: 1 in custody after hours long standoff at CIA headquarters in McLean 

Analyst Comments: The proximity of the standoff to the CIA headquarters highlights ongoing concerns regarding the security of federal agencies, especially intelligence and national security institutions. The public nature of the standoff also underscores the constant need for robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access. Incidents like this, recent assassination attempts, and violent protests do point to an acceptance of more extreme and violent measures across society. Organizations will want to consider that shift as they develop their threat assessments. 

New Dates Added: Live Virtual Presentations on Targeted Violence Prevention 

The U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) has announced new dates for live virtual presentations focused on preventing targeted violence. These sessions will share insights from decades of research on violence prevention and provide strategies for mitigating threats in workplaces, schools, religious institutions, and communities. The events are regularly updated, with different topics each month. Registration details and further information can be found on the official website. 

Enhancing School Safety Using Behavioral Threat Assessment 

• Wednesday May 21, 2025 | 12:00 – 2:00 PM EST 
• Wednesday July 16, 2025 | 12:00 – 2:00 PM EST 
• Wednesday September 17, 2025 | 12:00 – 2:00 PM EST 

Preventing Mass Attacks in Our Communities 

• Wednesday April 16, 2025 | 12:00 – 2:00 PM EST 
• Wednesday June 18, 2025 | 12:00 – 2:00 PM EST 
• Wednesday August 20, 2025 | 12:00 – 2:00 PM EST 

Register here.