A string of fires in Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill has finally led to an arrest, but the suspect’s history raises eyebrows. Mohammad Al-Rashidi, a 50-year-old Louisiana native, was nabbed Friday for allegedly torching roughly 35 locations over two months. The question now: Why was he free to keep striking?
Over two months, Al-Rashidi allegedly set approximately 35 fires across Capitol Hill, including a major blaze at St. Joseph’s Church and four near Union Station. The spree, which culminated in fresh fires Wednesday, has rattled a neighborhood already weary of rising crime. This isn’t just mischief—it’s a deliberate threat to lives and property.
The timeline began May 3 with a significant fire at St. Joseph’s Church, a sacred space now scarred by arson. Authorities suspect Al-Rashidi’s hand in this blaze, which set the tone for his reckless campaign. A church, of all places, targeted—talk about a gut punch to community values.
On May 9, Al-Rashidi was arrested for arson, yet he walked free soon after. This revolving door of justice let him allegedly continue his fiery rampage unchecked. One wonders if D.C.’s lenient policies emboldened this repeat offender.
May 19 saw four fires erupt within a mile of St. Joseph’s Church, all near Union Station. Authorities believe the same culprit—Al-Rashidi—set them all, showcasing a bold escalation. The proximity suggests a man unafraid of consequences, thriving in chaos.
D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly voiced the community’s fears: “These fires are happening in the middle of the night.” He warned they could “extend to a house and someone’s going to get hurt or lose their property.” Progressive coddling of crime doesn’t douse flames—it fans them.
Donnelly’s words cut deep: fires set at night, where they could spread, threaten lives. His fear of a blaze engulfing a home isn’t alarmist—it’s a reality check for a city grappling with crime. Ignoring such warnings only invites disaster.
Al-Rashidi’s latest fires flared Wednesday, prompting his Friday arrest by D.C. Fire and EMS. The swift response is commendable, but the damage is done—35 fires over two months is a failure of prevention. How many more warnings did the city need?
In a virtual court appearance Friday, Al-Rashidi claimed he was “harassed by police” and had a “tracking device” on him. This deflection reeks of desperation, a tactic to dodge accountability. Victimhood narratives won’t extinguish the evidence against him.
Al-Rashidi’s tracking device story sounds like a plot twist from a bad thriller. If he’s so monitored, how did he allegedly set 35 fires undetected? His excuses collapse under scrutiny, revealing a man grasping at straws.
The fires’ locations—Capitol Hill, Union Station, a church—suggest a calculated effort to disrupt community pillars. These aren’t random acts; they’re assaults on the symbols of order and faith. One shudders to think what drove this Louisiana transplant to such extremes.
Al-Rashidi’s prior arson arrest in May should’ve been a red flag, yet he was released to wreak havoc. D.C.’s justice system, often swayed by soft-on-crime policies, failed to protect residents. When will lawmakers prioritize safety over ideology?
The suspect’s court date on Monday will test whether D.C. can hold him accountable. Another release risks further chaos, signaling to others that arson carries no real consequences. Justice demands a firm hand, not a woke wink.
Capitol Hill residents deserve peace, not nightly fears of flames. The community’s resilience shines, but it shouldn’t have to endure such preventable threats. Al-Rashidi’s spree exposes the cost of ignoring crime’s root causes.
This saga underscores a broader truth: policies that downplay criminal behavior endanger everyone. From church pews to Union Station, no place is safe when arsonists roam free. D.C. must wake up before the next spark ignites tragedy.
