Metro teen linked to extremist network suspected in SE OKC church fire, multiple vandalism cases

Oklahoma City police are investigating a member of a violent extremist group they said is behind a string of arson fires and vandalism in the metro. A church fire on the southeast side of the city led investigators to identifying the 17-year-old suspect.

Police said the teenager is affiliated with a global Nihilistic Violent Extremists network known as ERS Council. He left his calling card at various crime scenes.

The sign outside Wind Wood Free Will Baptist Church near southeast 89th street and Sooner Road has true meaning for Pastor Tom Drake after a fire destroyed the sanctuary last month.

“You get something that’s really traumatic and it takes your mind a little bit to kind of focus and say what has happened here?,” Drake said.

Drake has since learned from police that a 17-year-old is accused of setting the church on fire and streaming the crime for a chat group. Police said the teen tagged the name of an extremist group on the side of the church.

“They call themselves ERS,” Drake said.

Read more: KWTV-News9