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Security Camera Catches Man Setting Fire to LGBT Center

Security Camera Catches Man Setting Fire to LGBT Center

Phoenix LGBT Center Fire

The disturbing footage allegedly shows a former client of the youth center.

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Police are looking for the man caught in shocking security camera footage who set fire to an LGBT center in Arizona.

The man can be seen carrying a can of gasoline, which he spreads throughout the youth center and then lights it on fire.

The one.n.ten youth center in Phoenix was torched on July 12. No one was injured, but the center has launched an Amazon wish list in search of donations to replace the equipment and other materials lost, especially with its annual outdoors camp coming up in September.

The fire was originally believed to be a case of improperly stored materials catching fire in the heat of the day, according to The Arizona Republic. But now police are searching for the man in the video -- allegedly Darren William Beach Jr., who the group's director says was a former client who aged out of the group's services.

Officials with the youth center posted on Facebook that Beach was served "off an on from 2013 to early 2016." There were "no warning signals" and "nothing to let on that he had anything against our organization."

"Obviously this young man has issues and needs help," wrote Linda Elliott, the center's executive director. Elliott told reporters in a news conference that Beach had a history of drug abuse and that many of the youth her organization serves have trauma and need counseling.

"Many of the youth we encounter have been kicked out of their homes because they're gay," she said. "They've been on the street, they have been abused, beat up, sex trafficked. So there's a lot of issues."

Elliott said the rest of the kids are hurting after the arson. "It hurts," she said. "It's a shock, we are all in disbelief."

Watch the disturbing security camera footage below, and anyone with information should contact the Phoenix Police Department.

Watch the statement by Elliott in the video below:

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Lucas Grindley

Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.
Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.