Nicole June Reporting
njune@clarksvillenow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Clarksville Police Department is offering a $250 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the burning of a cross July 21 at the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 1300 Rossview Road.
The lead investigator in the case is Detective Greg Rosencrants and information should be directed to him at (931) 648-0656 extension 5382 or by email at Gregory.Rosencrants@cityofclarksville.com.
If you wish to remain anonymous you can also call Crime Stoppers at (931) 645-TIPS (8477).
Pastor Vernon Hooks of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church received a phone call regarding the incident at 1300 Rossview Road in Clarksville around 6:30 a.m. when a church member passed by on the way to work.
According to a police report, the cross was propped in the chain lock at the parking lot gate and had been burned overnight. This has been classified as a hate crime by police.
No other part of the property was damaged.
“I was kind of devastated when I saw this because I’ve been here for 34 years and none of this has ever happened before,” said Pastor Hooks. “We’re hoping and trusting we find out who did this. You just don’t do this to the church.”
The Pastor said the church has never received any threatening messages in the past and is unsure why anyone would target them.
The church, which has over 150 members, will hold a special prayer meeting Wednesday. “I will be forgiving whoever did it,” Pastor Hooks said.
“That will be my message for tomorrow, to forgive them for what they did.”
Clarksville police are investigating the case but currently have no leads. Anyone with information can call the Crime Stoppers TIPS line at 931-645-TIPS (8477).
Photos by Rob Selkow, ClarksvilleNow.com