Police in Daytona Beach are on high alert after one of their patrol cars that had been parked at an Islamic center was fire-bombed over the weekend, with a note found at the scene that read, "Black Lives Matter."

  • Daytona Beach Police car fire-bombed
  • Note found at scene read, 'Black Lives Matter'
  • Note used expletives to describe police
  • No one was hurt

The empty cop car had been stationed at the Islamic Center of Daytona Beach following the Pulse shooting, because the center's visitors and imam had received several threats against their safety.

Law enforcement routinely patroled the area. But an unidentified person or persons bombed the car with a Molotov cocktail early Sunday just before 2:30 a.m., while police were not present.

"This is no doubt the new norm that we in law enforcement are going to confront, because I don't, in my opinion, forsee this ending," Police Chief Michael Chitwood said Monday during a news conference.

No one was hurt during the incident, but Chitwood is concerned violence could increase.

Shortly after the fire bomb, police were monitoring a Facebook post that called for a rebirth of the Black Panther Party in Daytona Beach.

Chitwood told News 13 that his officers are on high alert but stressed their priority is the safety and security of the community. He said for now, the department is making sure to work with the community, teaming up when handling suspicious calls to reduce risk.

Carrigan Holloman lives near the Islamic Center of Daytona Beach, and had hoped the presence of the police car would deter crime in the area. He said he was shocked by this level of violence.

"It's wrong to take it out on the cops," Holloman said. "Sure, black lives matter, because all lives matter."

The only hint to a motive was a note left near the car saying, "Black Lives Matter." The note refered to police using expletives.

For investigators, its meaning is clear: The message was a threat against law enforcement.

"You aren't going to stop someone who is hell-bent on destruction and doesn't want to be part of mainstream society," Chitwood said. "We have to find out who they are and stamp them out. And by 'we,' I don't mean just the police. I mean all of us in this community."

Now, investigators are combing through surveillance video from the area, and the state fire marshal's office is investigating.

The car is too badly damaged to be fixable. It will have to be replaced, possibly costing the city upward of $30,000.

Daytona Beach Police are asking anyone with information about this cop-car fire-bomb incident to contact the department immediately.  


(Frank Cymerman, staff)