Published
Thu, Apr 14, 2022, 20:20
- The 24-year-old man, identified as John Lhota, was taken into custody yesterday.
The suspect believed to have set Bushwick nightclub Rash ablaze last week has been caught.
Identified as John Lhota, the 24-year-old was arrested on Wednesday, April 13th and will be making his first appearance in court today, April 14th. If convicted, he could be imprisoned for seven to 40 years.
Last Sunday at around 9:20 PM local time, witnesses said they saw Lhota pour a clear liquid, now known as gasoline, on the floor of the five-month-old venue. When questioned at the time, Lhota said the liquid was water. When further questioned by the club's bouncer, Lhota attempted to light the gasoline with a lit cigarette. When this didn't spark a flame, he proceeded to use a cigarette lighter, causing a fire to erupt. Lhota was also captured on security video purchasing a red gas canister and filling it with gasoline before the attack.
Two people, a DJ playing at the time and a bartender, were on the dance floor when the fire started. Both were forced to run through flames in order to exit the club and were subsequently hospitalized with minor injuries. Rash was extensively damaged and remains shuttered indefinitely.
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace made the following statement in his announcement of the arrest. "As alleged, Lhota deliberately set fire to a bar and nightclub patronized by members of the LGBTQ+ community, seriously injuring two of its employees, and endangering all present including the tenants of the building as well as the first responders who battled the blaze for approximately one hour."
Peace continued: "This Office strongly condemns such acts of violence and will vigorously prosecute this case. The victims, an all LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, should be able to enjoy their nights out in peace and without fear of such a dangerous attack."
Rash has a launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for venue repairs and staff support.