Police seek public’s help investigating arson at Boston Museum of African American History

The National Park Service and Boston police are investigating an act of arson at the Museum of African American History Boston, where a staff member discovered package contents set on fire behind the building on Joy Street in Beacon Hill.

Dr. Noelle Trent, president and CEO of the museum’s Boston and Nantucket campuses, said she believes it could turn out to be a possible hate crime.

A Boston Police spokesperson confirmed to GBH News that the department is investigating the incident along with NPS, and is working with civil right groups to look for “bias indicators.”

According to Boston police, the incident occurred at 8:07 a.m. Wednesday morning and was caught on security video. Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect, described as a white male, wearing a dark jacket, a light-colored shirt or sweatshirt underneath, dark pants, and white sneakers. Police say he “appeared to be carrying a light-colored bag or package in one of the stills.”

Read more: WGBH