Continued Investigation Found that Alex Blodgett Committed a Series of Arsons That Targeted LGBTQIA+ Establishments

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. today announced the indictment of ALEX BLODGETT for a series of bias-related arsons in Manhattan on August 16, 2021. BLODGETT was originally arraigned in New York County Supreme Court in September 2021. A search warrant of the defendant’s Facebook account was signed and executed following the arraignment, which yielded evidence that demonstrated an anti-gay animus, particularly towards gay men and establishments geared for the LGBTQIA+ community. As a result, BLODGETT is being charged with enhanced hate crime charges.

BLODGETT is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Arson in the Second Degree, two counts of Arson in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, four counts of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree as a Hate Crime and two counts of Arson in the Third Degree.[1]

“Hate has no place here in Manhattan and New Yorkers of all backgrounds deserve to feel safe. As alleged, this individual left a wake of physical destruction but also made an entire community unsafe because he targeted LGBTQIA+ establishments,” said D.A. Bragg. “We will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute these types of unacceptable bias incidents. If you have been a victim or witness to a hate crime or bias incident, please call our Hate Crimes Hotline at 212-335-3100.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on August 16, 2021, at approximately, 1:06 a.m., the defendant approached the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in Greenwich Village, which is a nonprofit organization serving the LGBT community. The defendant approached the front door of the Center, tied a rag to the front door handles and set the rag on fire using a lighter. BLODGETT also set fire to a large potted plant and a trash can belonging to and located in front of the Center.

After setting fire to the front door of and a trash can and planter belonging to the Center, the defendant approached Atlas Social Club, a gay bar in Hell’s Kitchen. BLODGETT proceeded to throw multiple large rocks at the front windows of the bar.

The defendant then proceeded to V{IV}, a Thai restaurant mere blocks away on 9th Avenue, at approximately 2:38 a.m. BLODGETT lit plastic flowers located on the restaurant’s outdoor dining structure, which ignited a fire and caused significant damage to the structure.

After setting fire to V{IV}, BLODGETT approached LouLou, a French restaurant in Chelsea, at approximately 4:07 a.m. There, the defendant used a lighter to set fire to decorative leaves hanging on the outdoor dining structure. The outdoor structure ignited, causing significant damage to the outdoor seating area and the façade of the restaurant. At the time BLODGETT set fire to the outdoor seating area of LouLou, several employees were inside of the location.

After numerous 911 calls were made to report the fire at LouLou and after a brief foot pursuit, the defendant was apprehended by NYPD officers at approximately 4:18 a.m. When the defendant was arrested, officers observed a lighter in one of his hands.

Assistant D.A. Katherine Byrns is handling the prosecution of this case with the assistance of Trial Preparation Assistant Tyler Friedman and under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Assistant D.A. Jonathon Junig (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Assistant D.A. Robert Ferrari (Chief of Trial Bureau 40), and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).

D.A. Bragg thanked the members of the 10th Precinct of the NYPD for their assistance with this case.

Defendant Information:
ALEX BLODGETT
Manhattan, NY

Charged:

• Arson in the Second Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Arson in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, a class B felony, two counts
• Arson in the Third Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a class C felony, two counts
• Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree as a Hate Crime, a class E felony, four counts

^[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

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