Man Arrested After Dauphin County Church Cross Burned

Dequire Anthony Cannon charged with arson and institutional vandalism for alleged attack on St. John Lutheran Church.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:37pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of the charred remains of a wooden church cross, capturing the gritty, investigative nature of the crime scene through dramatic lighting and stark contrast.The smoldering remnants of a church cross burned in an apparent act of vandalism and hate, raising concerns about the safety of places of worship.Steelton Today

A 27-year-old man named Dequire Anthony Cannon was arrested by Steelton Borough police after allegedly burning a 20-foot-tall cross in front of St. John Lutheran Church on April 11. Witnesses reported seeing Cannon spray an unknown substance on the cross before setting it ablaze. Cannon was charged with arson and institutional vandalism and is being held on $25,000 bail.

Why it matters

Attacks on places of worship are concerning incidents that can deeply impact local communities. This alleged act of vandalism and destruction of church property raises questions about the perpetrator's motivations and the broader issue of religious intolerance.

The details

According to police, Steelton Borough officers and firefighters responded to a call about the burning cross at St. John Lutheran Church around 5:25 p.m. on April 11. Witnesses provided a description of the suspect, who was later apprehended and identified as Dequire Anthony Cannon. Cannon was also wanted on a warrant for another arson charge in Chester County.

  • The incident occurred on April 11, 2026 around 5:25 p.m.
  • Cannon was arrested on the same day, April 11, 2026.

The players

Dequire Anthony Cannon

A 27-year-old man from Steelton, Pennsylvania who was arrested and charged with arson and institutional vandalism for allegedly burning a cross in front of St. John Lutheran Church.

St. John Lutheran Church

A church located in Steelton, Pennsylvania where the alleged cross burning incident took place.

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What’s next

Cannon is being held on $25,000 bail and will face charges for the alleged arson and vandalism at St. John Lutheran Church, as well as the outstanding warrant for another arson charge in Chester County.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for continued vigilance and efforts to promote religious tolerance and protect places of worship from acts of hate and destruction within local communities.