PARKING, Ark. — Investigators in Parkin, Arkansas were trying to find out who set fire to a councilwoman’s car.
The car was parked feet from her bedroom where she was sound asleep Tuesday night.
“My neighbor ran out here and told me my car was on fire,” said Futch. “That is what they thought: it was going to explode. The house catches fire, and I die in it.”
Someone shattered her car window, spray painted a racial slur on the side, and then set it all on fire.
While investigators said there’s no suspects yet, Futch had her own theory.
“The mayor, the mayor’s daughter and who ever else is assisting him,” said Futch.
Futch said she thinks the mayor is somehow connected, because of a feud that stemmed from a deep legal battle between the council and mayor over policies and a city employee.
“I would bet my life. That’s how sure I am. He hates us that bad,” she said.
Mayor Willie Patterson said his hands were clean, and he was with his wife in their bed asleep when it happened just before midnight.
“Of course she would think that! I want to tell Mrs. Futch that’s not my character. That’s not me,” he said.
Patterson admitted there has been some drama between he and the council.
He said they’re trying to take his power away, and folks in the town didn’t like it.
“Don’t look at me! You got haters out there, they are yours. They ain’t mine! Really? I had nothing to do with any of this,” said Patterson.
“He’s mad because he’s drunk off his own power. The little power he has,” said Futch
“Whoever did this last night, and they come back tonight, it’s going to be a different story. They will not leave here walking,” she said.
State, county and local investigators were working together to solve this, and said hate crime and arson charges could be filed.