Church pastor doesn’t believe arson attack is tied to race

MORGANTOWN — Shirley Robinson, pastor of Destiny Deliverance Church, located at 110 Monongahela Ave., in Westover, said she does not consider the church a “black church” and has no reason to believe arson targeting the building was tied to race.
Three men were arrested on March 29 in connection with a March 17 fire set in the building.
Further, Robinson, a longtime member of the church prior to becoming its pastor, said she can think of no previous issues surrounding the church that she would attribute to race or anything else that would have led to a targeted attack.
“I don’t know, honestly. Why would someone want to burn that little church. It doesn’t make any sense,” Robinson told The Dominion Post. “I’m African-American but there’s no indication that this is a black church or anything like that. We have a mix of people who attend.”
Robinson’s assessment is in line with that of the Westover Police Department. Chief Rick Panico said the investigation conducted by his department and the West Virginia Fire Marshal’s office didn’t support race as a motive.
Robinson said the church typically draws 15 or so congregants each Sunday.
Destiny Deliverance will hold a service today at 11 a.m. at 108 Holland Ave, in Smith Funeral & Cremation Care. Robinson said she’s thankful to owners Jason and Cathy Smith as well as all the other offers of assistance from around the area.
Robinson said the support of everyone from law enforcement to the fire departments, concerned colleagues, church members, the extended church community and the community at large has been affirming.
“At one point I said, ‘you know, they picked the wrong church to mess with.’ But the more I’ve thought about it, maybe they picked the right church,” Robinson said. “We hold no animosity. Things are going to happen. Whether these people who did this go to prison or whatever happens, I will pray for them. I’m just grateful for everyone who has reached out.”
According to Panico, Joseph Wilson Jr., 21, Jordan Lipscomb, 18, and Michael Pyles, 20, were arrested in connection to the fire. Wilson and Lipscomb are facing second-degree arson. Pyles was arrested as an accessory.
Much of what occurred leading up to the arson was caught on a nearby business’s surveillance camera, including the three men who would ultimately be arrested calling 911 to report the fire.
As of Friday, Panico said police were looking for a second vehicle, and possibly, an additional suspect shown in the surveillance footage.
Along with fire damage, a brick was thrown through the glass front doors of the building. Robinson said she doesn’t know the financial extent of the damages yet as she’s still working with the church’s insurance carrier.