Story Published:
Mar 18, 2009 at 1:33 PM CST
Story Updated:
Mar 19, 2009 at 10:26 AM CST
STOCKTON, Mo. -- Investigators believe a fire that destroyed three stores early Wednesday was intentionally set by someone who doesn't like the owner of the strip mall because he's openly gay. Dan Thornton, the owner, who is well known in Stockton, said in an interview that he agrees he appears to be the target.
A state fire marshal’s investigator, federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents and Cedar County sheriff’s deputies are trying to help find the arsonist. Graffiti at the scene seems to make it clear that the arson is a "hate crime."
The fire was in a strip mall building on West Missouri 32 near downtown. It housed a tobacco store, pizza shop and video store. Stockton Fire Chief Hank Smith says it didn’t take long for his crews to knock down the flames. Most of the damage is inside the building.
