Woman Arrested for Arson at El Paso Church with Threat to Charlie Kirk

Marynka Zarina Marquez, a 35-year-old woman from Denton, Texas, was arrested and charged with arson with intent to damage a place of worship after setting a fire outside Beth El Bible Church in El Paso. The incident occurred on September 17, just one day before the church was to hold a vigil for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was recently assassinated. Marquez allegedly left a blue gift bag inside the church containing a flower and a paper plate with hateful and threatening language directed at Kirk, which church staff perceived as an intimidation tactic related to the upcoming vigil. The fire, started by setting a large bag on fire against the church's exterior wall, was quickly extinguished by the pastor. The case was investigated by the El Paso Police Department's Special Investigations Unit, the Fire Marshal's Office, and the FBI. Marquez was released on a $50,000 surety bond and no attorney is currently listed for her in court records.