A man inspired by the Black Lives Matter riots in Ferguson, Missouri, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for starting one of the biggest fires in Los Angeles County history.
Dawud Abdulwali was also ordered to pay $100 million in restitution for the fire which caused millions in damages and according to the judge, “could have burned down half of Los Angeles.”
Witnesses said Abdulwali had proclaimed a desire to “burn some s*** down” due to his disgust with the Michael Brown case.
Via NBC Los Angeles:
The Da Vinci apartment complex was under construction in downtown Los Angeles at the time the 2014 blaze, fueled by gasoline spread on its fourth floor, was set. The fire spread quickly over the seven-floor wood frame structure and sent thick, black smoke over the nearby 110 Freeway, which was shut down for the morning drive.
Freeway signs melted and nearby buildings also were damaged. The heat was so intense, it shattered about 160 windows in the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power headquarters building.
…
At a preliminary hearing, witnesses testified he set the fire in response to protests in Ferguson, Missouri and other demonstrations over police conduct. Edwyn Gomez, who was recorded telling police that he heard Abdulwali saying he wanted to “burn some (expletive) down” after the riots in Ferguson, Missouri, over the shooting death of a black man — Michael Brown — by a white police officer.
You may recall that Michael Brown’s step-father urged rioters in Ferguson to “burn this b**** down,” comments eerily similar to Abdulwali’s own words prior to torching the apartment complex.
@Freeyourmindkid I mean https://t.co/wnkSmr6siS
— Bacon Plasma (@baconplasma) April 17, 2017
According to the Los Angeles a witness testified that “He (Abdulwali) was mad,” adding that the defendant said “he burned the building” because “he didn’t like the way the cops were killing black people.”
15 years and restitution that will never be paid seems like this arsonist got off easy.
Now, let’s start seeing those who loot and damage property by breaking glass windows and doors start being prosecuted as well.
If they do the crime, rioters need to do the time.
Are you glad to see a BLM rioter have to pay for his crimes? Share your thoughts below.
