New York City police searching for suspect who set fire to LGBTQ bar
Investigators are searching for a man who set a fire to a recently opened Brooklyn bar popular with LGBTQ patrons.
In surveillance footage released by the New York City Police Department, a man can be seen dumping a can of gasoline on the floor inside Rash while people were still inside around 9:20 p.m. Sunday. The footage shows the suspect toss what appears to be a cigarette, lean down and light the gasoline on fire.
The suspect fled the scene as flames engulfed the bar, according to police.
"Our hearts go out to the team at Rash and the entire LGBTQ+ community of Bushwick," Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement on Twitter. "While this incident is still being investigated, make no mistake: anyone who comes into my city looking to spread fear and hatred will pay the consequences."
Claire Bendiner, a co-owner of Rash, had just stepped outside the bar to have a cigarette when they heard screaming and saw flames through a glass door. They called 911 as a bartender, DJ and security guard who were inside rushed out.
"It's just devastating," said Bendiner, adding that they are struggling with anxiety and trouble sleeping. "I don't think we've fully processed it."
Police and Bendiner said two people were injured in the fire.
Before the blaze broke out, the security guard asked the man what he was doing and the suspect said the liquid he was pouring was water and identified himself as a cleaner, Bendiner, 32, said. They said the fire was started not long before a large crowd was expected to come in for a party.
It's unclear what motivated the attack on Rash, which opened five months ago and has become a space for the LGBTQ and artistic community.
"We have theories, like maybe it's because we're a queer space and homophobia or it could be like a disgruntled customer from the past," Bendiner said.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, but the incident is not being investigated as a hate crime. No arrests have been made and officials are offering a $3,500 reward for information.
Co-owner Jake Sillen urged people to watch the footage released by police and share any information.
"Really until that person's off the streets, I don't know how any space in that neighborhood or any neighborhood can feel safe," they said.
A GoFundMe, which includes a photo of the extensive damage caused by the fire, has raised more than $85,000 to support those affected and repair the space.
Sillen, 26, said the outpouring of support from the community and around the world has been "amazing" and customers have shared stories about what the bar meant to them. They said the bar was supporting more than 30 musicians who relied on the income and the platform as a place to perform at a time when other institutions have shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's really it's great to see that there's that level of care, and that people loved our space that much," they said, adding that it will likely be months before they can re-open. "More than anything else that's what gives us like the ability to kind of say 'we're opening again, no matter what.'"
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Contact Breaking News Reporter N'dea Yancey-Bragg at nyanceybra@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @NdeaYanceyBragg