Aunt’s Tip Leads to Arrest in Charlotte County Synagogue Arson

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — New details emerged Tuesday in the investigation of the Sept. 19 arson at Chabad of Charlotte County, leading to the arrest of Blake Hoover. Police said Hoover’s mother told investigators her son harbored growing hatred toward Jewish people and homosexuals over the past several years.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Hoover’s mother became suspicious after seeing news coverage of the fire. She recalled her son had previously asked if she knew the old library had become a Jewish school and museum and had said he was going to burn it down. On the night of the fire, she noticed a gas can missing from the garage and later saw Hoover return home barefoot, holding a spray paint can. Hoover reportedly told his mother he “just sprayed the letter J, not a big deal,” using “J” as a derogatory reference to Jewish people.

Investigators discovered evidence of accelerant on the classroom walls, along with a broken screen and window. License plate reader data placed Hoover’s car near the synagogue at 10:19 p.m. on Sept. 19. Family members had also reported seeing him leave and return with spray paint the same night.

Hoover was charged with arson and criminal mischief. He had a first court appearance on Sept. 23 and is being held without bond for the arson charge; his bond for criminal mischief is set at $25,000. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 3.