Report: Canadian Black Metal Fan Wanted To 'Punish Churches'

Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada's The Chronicle Journal has revealed more details about a Canadian black metal fan's guilty plea to a charge of arson and a second offense of break and enter while committing mischief and attempted arson in connection with setting fires at two Thunder Bay churches.

The 16-year-old youth, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, will be sentenced February 20 in Ontario Court.

Crown counsel (prosecutor) Alec Hardiejowski said on the night of October 14 the youth took a napalm-type device and used it to torch the Central Evangelical Free Church on Balmoral Street.

This brazen act was committed next to the Thunder Bay Police headquarters.
The fire was confined to three back rooms.

The fire and break-in activated an alarm and police and fire department personnel responded to the fire.

The youth then broke into the Evangelical Church next door and tried to set a fire there as well.

Police officers heard noises at the church and investigated to find the youth inside who challenged them "to come and get me." They did and placed him under arrest.
Damage to both churches was estimated at about CAD $117,000.

Defense attorney Chris Watkins said his client was influenced by heavy metal music, especially black metal music.

Outside the court Watkins said the youth felt he had to punish the churches for alleged incidents committed hundreds of years ago.

"Part of his rationale at the time was that he believed the churches were responsible for the persecution of specific groups such as minorities and witches in medieval times," he said.

"He felt the church represents a bad thing in society and he had to punish them."

The youth underwent a five-day psychiatric assessment shortly after the incidents but Watkins said he has made progress since then and the psychological report doesn't reflect his mental state today.