A suspect has been arrested in connection with the firebombing of an anti-abortion group's office in Wisconsin last May.
Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury, 29, was apprehended by authorities at an airport in Boston.
NBC reported that the DNA evidence from a partially eaten burrito found in a thrown-away bag helped investigators identify Roychowdhury as the individual who caused the fire at the Wisconsin Family Action office.
Charges of maliciously attempting to damage and destroy the organization's building have been brought against Roychowdhury.
Authorities arrested the suspect in Boston as he attempted to board a one-way flight to Guatemala City just after he had left Wisconsin.
The suspect's lawyer has yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.
The firebombing of Wisconsin Family Action's Office
The fire at Wisconsin Family Action's office occurred early on May 8, 2022, just days after Politico published a draft of the United States Supreme Court's decision to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion nationwide.
The leaked draft, authored by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, triggered protests nationwide from abortion-rights supporters.
Wisconsin Family Action is a right-leaning pro-life organization that seeks to enhance, preserve, and endorse Judeo-Christian principles and values in Wisconsin, including freedom, matrimony, kinship, and the sanctity of life.
The group did not respond to a request for comment on the matter. DNA evidence was instrumental in the arrest of the suspect.
According to Reuters, the criminal complaint stated that law enforcement recovered components of a Molotov cocktail, a lighter, and graffiti reading "If abortions aren't safe, then you aren't either" outside the targeted building.
DNA from the Molotov cocktail, the building window, and the lighter matched Roychowdhury's DNA, which was retrieved from a discarded burrito meal.
Law enforcement identified Roychowdhury as a suspect after tracing a truck used by the suspects to a house where he resided following a separate graffiti incident at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Hate crimes against anti-abortion, abortion groups
The attack on Wisconsin Family Action's office is one of several hate crimes against anti-abortion and pro-abortion groups.
Over the years, extremists fighting for their beliefs have targeted these groups, causing significant damage and injuries.
The recent announcement of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark case that legalized abortion nationwide, has led to increased hate crimes targeting anti-abortion and abortion groups.
The rise in hate crimes against both is a worrying development, and law enforcement agencies are taking the matter seriously.
There have been calls for both groups to exercise restraint and engage in civil discourse rather than resorting to violence and intimidation to advance their agendas.
How the circumstances will evolve over the next few weeks and months cannot be predicted now.
As the country grapples with this divisive issue, it is essential to remember that violence and hate will only deepen the divide and cause further harm.
According to Law & Crime, assistant attorney general Matthew G. Olsen from the Justice Department's National Security Division has accused Roychowdhury of attempting to frighten and coerce the private organization.
The arrest of Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury for the firebombing of Wisconsin Family Action's office is a significant win for the anti-abortion group.
Using DNA evidence to identify the suspect highlights the importance of forensic technology in solving hate crimes.
The incident also sheds light on the ongoing issue of hate crimes against anti-abortion and pro-abortion groups and the need for stricter laws to protect them.
