Police suspect teen group in Arlington cross-burning

By Christopher Schwarzen, J.J. Jensen and Peyton Whitely
Times Snohomish County bureau

	Jason Martin
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ARLINGTON — An investigation into Wednesday's cross-burning at the home of a black minister is focusing on about a dozen teens possibly connected to other racial incidents in the area and at the high school, police say.

The Arlington Police Department teamed up yesterday with the FBI, which investigates hate crimes under federal statutes, to determine who's responsible for burning a cross in the front yard of Pastor Jason Martin. Martin awoke Wednesday morning as firefighters extinguished the flames. All that remains of what police believe to be a racially motivated crime is a charred spot in the grass. Police sent remnants of the 5-by-3-foot cross to the State Patrol crime lab.

Martin spent most of yesterday at his Marysville church, Jesus Is Lord Life Tabernacle, surrounded by congregants who worried about their pastor and his seven children. Martin's wife is visiting family in New York.

"I wanted the prayer support of my church," said Martin, 38, who plans to invite the congregation to his home after Sunday's service for prayer at the site of the burning.

Police said yesterday they haven't identified specific suspects, but tips have pointed to a group of Arlington High School students known for racist views, said Arlington police Lt. Terry Quintrall.

Chief John Gray said none of the teens has been interviewed yet, but they will be soon. Police also are pursuing other leads.

School district officials contacted the Martin family Wednesday to offer assistance. They said they would leave the investigation to authorities.

Martin's children went to school yesterday, assured that teachers and principals would watch out for them. Martin's oldest son has been the victim of numerous threats, Martin said, including one yesterday.

"He called to tell me that one student said if they'd known a cross was burning, they'd have added a noose," Martin said. "I just want to express that we're praying for these people."

FBI officials said blatant racial crimes are relatively rare in Washington.
 
Two cross burnings occurred in the Puget Sound area in 1991. Three teens were suspected of threatening a black family in Bothell with the racially charged symbol, while a Maple Valley man set fire to a cross in his yard to frighten away a racially mixed couple looking to buy a house next door.

Police said the teens they're interested in aren't part of a known hate group, but residents say the high-schoolers are known for gathering in crowds, making racial threats and bullying people of different races throughout town.

"My kids have been attacked by the same kids," said Ronda Guzman, a Latina.

Arlington High School Principal Bob Penny said teachers met Wednesday afternoon to "seize the moment for educational opportunities about accepting others and dealing with harassment issues and intimidation and bullying." They discussed the topics with students yesterday.

News of the cross-burning spread through the high school's halls yesterday. While most students said they were shocked by the event, others believed a large number of students who wear denim Carhartt, work-style clothing and live a "country" lifestyle are being unfairly targeted. In previous years, some of those students were known for displaying the Confederate flag — a Southern symbol that many associate with slavery and lynchings — in the backs of their trucks.

Jake Miller, who considers himself a typical country boy, acknowledged that race relations among Arlington teens are strained.

"Some kids in school have views that minorities get better treatment (from teachers)," said Miller, who dropped out of school earlier this year as a sophomore.

Sophomore Lily McWatters, a Brazilian, said some students are rude to minorities.

"I was walking down the hall one day and was called the n-word," she said. "It hurt and I was scared, but a lot of people aren't like that."

Community leaders say they're not willing to let the event tarnish the city's image. Many were considering posting a reward for information leading to an arrest.

Martin said the event has been trying, especially for his children.

"My children don't know about this kind of hate because they've been raised around people of other races all their lives," Martin said. "I had to explain this to them."

Martin said he made it clear that there are "people who don't like you because of your color."

"But that's not my children's fault, I told them," Martin said. "That's those people's problem."

Christopher Schwarzen: 425-783-0577 or cschwarzen@seattletimes.com

J.J. Jensen: 425-745-7809 or jjensen@seattletimes.com

Peyton Whitely: 206-464-2259 or pwhitely@seattletimes.com

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