A church in East El Paso became the target of arson last week when a woman from Denton, Texas, allegedly set fire to the building ahead of a planned vigil for conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

CBS4 Local reported that authorities say the suspect left incendiary messages and materials behind, describing her intent to intimidate attendees of the church’s scheduled gathering.

The incident occurred at Beth El Bible Church, located at 6440 Montana Ave., on Wednesday of last week. The church was preparing to host a vigil for Kirk the following day when the suspect entered the premises posing as a delivery person.

Fire Spotted, Prompting Rapid Response

According to an arrest affidavit, Marynka Marquez, 35, knocked on the church door and told volunteers she had a package for the event. After being granted entry into the sanctuary, Marquez left one bag near the stage and reportedly carried another with her afterward.

Later that day, surveillance and eyewitness accounts indicated that a woman had placed a large bag outside the church wall, deliberately set it on fire, and run away from the scene. The fire was noticed quickly by the pastor, who was leaving the church at the time, and he managed to extinguish the flames before they caused serious damage.

Church staff and the pastor soon realized the bag used in the arson matched the one Marquez had carried when she entered the church earlier. This discovery helped connect her actions inside the church to the fire set just outside.

Inside The Bags: Messages of Hostility

The bag that Marquez left inside the sanctuary contained unusual and disturbing materials. Volunteers discovered paper plates and business cards within it, the contents of which raised immediate concerns.

One plate had a message stating, “C is a 4 coward, C is a 4 Conservative, C is 4 Control.” Another included a photo and the words, “C Kirk is eating piss and shit in hell.” On the back of that plate, another troubling note read, “Soon you'll help him eat and drink it all.”

These written statements were later presented to the police by a volunteer, who described them as a clear attempt to frighten those planning to attend the vigil. The volunteer interpreted the materials as threats intended to deter community participation in the event.

Suspect Identified Through Online Clues

Authorities began investigating the incident through the El Paso Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit in partnership with local fire marshals. Their efforts focused on identifying the individual responsible for the arson and the threatening messages.

Among the items left behind were business cards bearing the name “Zarina Marquez.” The cards described her as a strategist, artist, and problem solver affiliated with the website macuca.net.

Investigators located a photo on “La Macuca,” a website leading to an LLC that claims to offer strategy services centered on human rights and the arts. The image matched the suspect’s appearance and helped confirm her identity with the help of the church volunteer.

Charges Filed and Community Reaction

Marquez, who resides in Denton, was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. She faces charges related to arson and the suspected intent to intimidate individuals attending the Charlie Kirk vigil.

In response to the incident, Beth El Bible Church released a public statement expressing distress over the situation but encouraged forgiveness. The church emphasized its commitment to justice through local authorities and gratitude for the safety of its building and congregants.

“We give thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for his protection of our facilities and our lives,” the statement read. “As a church, we choose to forgive.”

Ongoing Legal Process Ahead

No injuries were reported as a result of the attempted fire, partly due to the pastor’s quick action. However, the event has raised concerns about the use of violence and hateful rhetoric directed at religious gatherings and political activities.

The investigation remains active as more evidence may be collected about Marquez’s motives and whether others were involved. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding potential additional charges.

The arrest and subsequent charging of Marquez mark a significant development in maintaining community safety and deterring threats aimed at public and religious events.