ATF Requests Public’s Help Related to Minneapolis Church Arson

Up to $5,000 Reward for Helpful Information

MINNEAPOLIS – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, alongside its investigative partners, seeks help from the public to identify an individual who may have information related to a fire at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Polish National Catholic Church in Minneapolis earlier this year. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for helpful information.

The more than 100-year-old church, located at 2200 Fifth St. in northeast Minneapolis, caught fire in the early evening of April 19, 2021. The structure had extensive damage including a collapsed roof.

ATF Certified Fire Investigators, who typically respond to fires related to houses of worship, worked alongside the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis Fire Department to determine that the fire at the church was a result of an act of arson, classifying the fire incendiary.

“Surveillance footage shows an individual who was present in the area around the time when smoke started billowing from the church,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeff Reed. “We believe this person has valuable information related to this fire, and we’re looking to the public to help us identify the individual.”

“We’re thankful for our friends at the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, who have generously offered the reward in this case,” Reed continued. “We hope the reward will provide incentive for people to come forward with helpful information.”

Anyone with information about this incident or identification of the individuals involved is asked to contact ATF. Call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via www.ReportIt.com or the Report It mobile app, available on Google Play or Apple App Store. When using Report It, select “ATF – St. Paul Field Division” as the reporting agency.

For those providing information, include as many details as possible relating to the identity and/or whereabouts of the individual. If a reward is sought, please include your name and contact information. To be eligible for the reward, information provided must lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the arson.

ATF is working alongside the Minneapolis Police Department, the Minneapolis Fire Department, and the FBI on this case.

The International Association of Arson Investigators is an international professional association of more than 10,000 fire investigation professionals, united by a strong commitment to suppress the crime of arson through professional fire investigation.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and crimes of arson at houses of worship. For more information about ATF, go to www.atf.gov or follow @ATFHQ on Twitter. Follow @ATFStPaul on Twitter for ATF news in Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

Below are still-frame photos and direct video download links of the individual sought.