A fire that burned through the county Democrat headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona on July 24 was widely believed to have been set by a disgruntled conservative, but it was instead a disgruntled Democrat, and potentially insane person.
Right wingers were blamed for this. Turns out it was a leftist all along. https://t.co/UTxLQVLHIS
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) July 30, 2020
KTAR News, out of Arizona, reports that Matthew Engler, 29, was arrested and charged on one count of arson of an occupied structure, which is a class two felony. He is believed to have volunteered at the Maricopa County Democratic Headquarters, but been banned "due to the nature of his previous behavior," per a press release from Phoenix police and fire departments.
He was caught with the help of surveillance footage. Engler could be seen on video breaking through the glass doors to set the fire, and then leaving the scene in a car.
ARREST MADE: 29-year-old Matthew Egler has been arrested in connection with the fire set to the Democratic Party Headquarters. The fire happened after midnight on Friday, July 24 near Central and Thomas in Downtown Phoenix. The fire caused substantial damage to the building. pic.twitter.com/6cXhOppySA
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) July 29, 2020
As soon as the Phoenix fire department announced that the destruction was the result of arson, and before a suspect was named or apprehended, a flood of speculation poured in on social media that this was a right-wing initiative.
The Democratic HQ on Central Ave burned overnight. Because it’s still under investigation. The north side of the building suffered heavy damage. There are several security cameras. Footage being checked out now. The chairwoman says threats and vandalism are common. #Fox10Phoenix pic.twitter.com/YA3O6K16u9
— Brian Webb (@BWebbFox10) July 24, 2020
An Antifa account compared the fire to the burning of the Reichstag in Germany, in 1933.
The parallels just keep coming. In Feb 1933, a fire at the Reichstag in Berlin resulted in the entrenchment of the Nazi Party and the suspension of civil liberties. Arson is now suspected behind the fire at the Democratic HQS in Phoenix, which slightly favors Biden in November.
— My Name Is Antifa!? ? ? I'm Proud to be Antifa! (@stingmiller) July 25, 2020
Alex Kack, famous for being a meme, immediately blamed the Phoenix GOP.
Just so Phoenix area Republicans are aware arson is not a great campaign strategy.
— Alex Kack (@Alex_Kack) July 25, 2020
Pete Quily, a progressive from the Pacific Northwest, also instantly jumped on the "blame Trump" bandwagon.
So are trump very fine nazis burning down Trump's competiton?
— Pete Quily (@pqpolitics) July 25, 2020
Arson suspected in overnight fire that completely ruined Arizona Democratic Party headquarters in Phoenix
Just as county Democratic Party was set for its summer convention on Saturday. Hmmhttps://t.co/BfjEtuT35Y
As did author Frank Schaeffer, who posted his assumption that "Trump's thugs" set the blaze.
The Democratic Party’s state and county headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, was targeted in an arson attack on Friday. Trump's thugs are acting on his message of hate.
— Frank Schaeffer (@Frank_Schaeffer) July 25, 2020
That Girl believed the fire was started by those who fear the "blue wave."
In Phoenix yesterday, a Democrat Headquarters building was destroyed by arson. They are scared of the blue wave coming, these are dangerous times.
— That Girl (@myonlymizztake) July 25, 2020
Mark Peckham, who was the NV State Director for Andrew Yang, also posted his belief that the arson attack was the result of "right wing terrorism."
Arson! Right wing terrorism, I would assume. We'll see what the investigation turns up. Its heart breaking though, I used to spend a lot of time there and its such a central core to the Phoenix Democratic community, at least.
— Mark Peckham ? (@AK_Organizer) July 25, 2020
Advocates for a Biden win in Phoenix solicited donations, and the money rolled in. The party released a statement that the act of violence would not deter them from their mission of turning "MaricopaCounty blue this November."
Our building has been completely ruined. The authorities are continuing their investigation and are labeling this as arson.
— Maricopa County Democrats (@MaricopaDems) July 24, 2020
We are saddened by this act of violence but not deterred. We will flip #MaricopaCounty blue this November. pic.twitter.com/QyPC5C0PWt
Thank you for the overwhelming love and support we've seen the last few days. The crime against our HQ only serves to reinvigorate our efforts.
— Maricopa County Democrats (@MaricopaDems) July 27, 2020
Unfortunately, with less than 100 days until E-Day, we lost essential campaign items. Can you help us recover? https://t.co/bxBSNDwIsO pic.twitter.com/YSWBr331qq
Much of what was lost was sentimental, and employees had been working from home since March.
Engler appears to be substantially unhinged. On his Twitter, he claimed responsibility for the arson.
Engler also appears to be obsessed with Ivanka Trump, believing that he is engaged to her.
He also released a video saying that no one could send him to a mental institution except his dad, and claiming many odd things that are hard to understand, including his love for Ivanka Trump.
He said "I took out a building because I wasn't getting any response from the Senate." He also said that he married Ivanka Trump in a secret ceremony in April.
just checking in guys https://t.co/TuAXTQK1Wv
— ValleyLeader™ (@ValleyLeader) July 29, 2020
The fire was fuelled with an accelerant in the early morning hours of Friday, July 24. Phoenix Fire Captain Rob McDade said that fire fighters were on the scene within 15 minutes, but that damage had already been done.
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