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A Mountain View woman is suspected of setting a fire in March at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in Carmel Valley, and making threats on Buddhist temples in California, authorities said Tuesday.
Fiona GuoGuo Lu, 36, was named a suspect after Monterey County Sheriff’s Office found she allegedly made statements online connecting her to the March 27 fire that gutted the center, the oldest Japanese Buddhist Soto Zen monastery in the U.S.
Lu is currently in custody at the Napa County Jail on unrelated charges and is awaiting extradition to Monterey County, the sheriff’s office said Tuesday.
No one was injured in the blaze, according to the sheriff’s office, which commended staff at the center for their quick response to the fire.
“Their bravery, diligence, observations, and continued cooperation throughout this investigation helped protect lives, preserve important information, and move the investigation forward,” the sheriff’s office said Tuesday in a news release.
In addition, fire crews responded to the blaze under difficult conditions, the sheriff’s office said.
Lu is also accused of making threats of future violence toward Buddhist temples in California.
“The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting every member of our community and ensuring that all people can safely practice their faith without fear of violence, intimidation, or threats,” Sheriff Tina Nieto said.
Fiona GuoGuo Lu is facing charges of arson, criminal threats, felony hate crime and terrorizing by destructive device, explosive. Her bail is set at $130,000.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the March 27 fire at the Tassajara Zen Center, the related social media posts, or threats directed toward Buddhist religious institutions to contact Deputy Aly Najem or Deputy Kyle Massa at (831) 755-5111. Anonymous tips may be submitted at mcso.countyofmonterey.gov by selecting the “Submit a Tip” tab.
