Arson suspect arrested in connection to fire at a Missouri mosque.

SCREEN CAPTURE / KFVS

Police believe the fire at the Islamic Center was arson.

ASAM NEWS

Police have arrested a suspect in connection to last week's attempt to burn down the Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Officers say 42-year-old Nicholas Proffitt of Cape Girardeau was arrested Monday. The suspect is charged with felony burglary in the 1st degree, felony arson in the 1st degree, and charged with the hate crime of property damage in the 1st degree, which is enhanced because Proffitt was motivated to commite the crime by the religion of the people who worship at the Islamic Center.

"To people of faith in our nation, houses of worship are sacred places,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “Attacks against houses of worship are attacks against people of faith and their right to exercise their religion freely and without fear. The Justice Department will defend the right of all people in our country to exercise their religion, no matter the creed.”

The timing is especially significant because the fire was started on the first day of Ramadan, a Muslim holy month. The fire began at the front door of the building, according to the Missouri chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an advocacy group.

Twelve to 15 people were evacuated and uninjured, according to state officials. Meanwhile, the building itself was “extensively damaged,” including the front entrance and the second floor, Fire Chief Travis Hollis said.

The fire at Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau is currently being investigated by the Federal Bureau Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, as well as the state’s fire marshal, as a potential case of arson, according to Al Jazeera.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson took to Twitter to condemn the fire.

“In Missouri, we won’t tolerate an attack on any house of worship,” he said. “This was a cowardly act.”

Views From the Edge contributed to this report.