A 51-year-old man has been arrested in Florida after the authorities said he damaged sacred objects, set fires, and vandalized buildings at Wat Navaram Buddhist Temple in the city of Sanford on 2 May.

Singhasouk “Danny” Phanouvong, also identified as Danny Singhasouk Phanouvong, was accused of burglary, first-degree arson, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, and resisting arrest with violence after police were called to the temple at about 9:30 p.m. on 2 May, according to local media reports citing police and court records. Police officers said they arrived to find alarms sounding and Phanouvong leaving the scene in a vehicle. A pursuit ensued through Seminole, Volusia, and Flagler counties before Florida Highway Patrol troopers stopped him in St. Johns County.  

Wat Navaram is a Lao Buddhist temple and community center in Sanford, north of Orlando. The temple had hosted its Lao New Year Festival in April, with the Sanford describing the event as an opportunity for the public to learn about Lao culture.

Surveillance video footage allegedly showed Phanouvong damaging priceless relics before setting fires in the temple’s Daily Worship Hall and a residential area used by monks. The fires were reportedly fueled with objects from inside the hall, including electronics that caused small explosions and blackened the hall’s red ceiling.

An attorney for the temple, Joe Panyanouvong, said the suspect also damaged a van used by monks for transportation: “He took a lot of concrete items from here and threw them into the van, broke all the van’s windows out. He used it to break into the main residential area as well.” (WESH)

Panyanouvong said the incident was especially painful because Phanouvong was known to the temple community and had previously attended the temple while growing up in Central Florida. “Everybody’s in shock, and everybody’s sad, especially knowing that the person who did this was once a member of our temple,” he said. “It appears to be some type of mental health problem, mental health crisis.” (WESH)

The motive for the alleged arson remains unknown, according to television channel FOX 35, which reported that information for its story came from a Sanford Police Department arrest report. The outlet also reported that a Volusia County judge ordered Phanouvong held without bond on 4 May, citing “a danger to the community.” (FOX 35)

Panyanouvong said a visiting monk from Thailand who used a wheelchair was trapped in an apartment during the fire. The monk was not injured and was safely removed after another monk called 911. Temple officials said the damage could reach into the tens of thousands of dollars.  

The attorney said Phanouvong appeared to have targeted the temple’s daily worship space rather than the larger hall used for major events. “We have two worship halls. One is the main worship hall here, which is used for big events, but he targeted the hall that is used daily. . . .” Panyanouvong said. “It’s kind of shattered their peace and shattered their sense of safety here.” (WESH)

In a statement to FOX 35, the temple said: “Wat Navaram Bhuddists Temple is deeply saddened by the vandalism of our place of worship. Although shaken, our community is grateful for the quick response by local law enforcement and thankful for all the well wishes and support from around the globe.” (FOX 35)

Local businesses, community members, and supporters outside Florida have offered help as the temple begins assessing repairs and recovery. Phanouvong remained in the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond.  

See more

Georgia man arrested after allegedly setting fire to Buddhist Temple in Sanford (WESH)
‘Deeply saddened’: Georgia man, 51, allegedly set fire to Sanford Buddhist temple he attended (FOX 35)
Lao New Year Festival (City of Sanford)
Wat Navaram Buddhist Temple Inc. (Facebook)

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