EL PASO, Texas — Marynka Zarina Marquez, 35, of Denton, Texas, was arrested after allegedly setting fire outside Beth El Bible Church in El Paso and leaving threatening, hateful messages inside the church related to a vigil for the recently assassinated conservative figure Charlie Kirk.
Police responded to a fire reported at the church on September 17. A witness inside said Marquez arrived carrying two bags, claiming she was dropping off a package for a vigil the church was hosting for Charlie Kirk. The witness escorted Marquez inside to the sanctuary where she left a blue gift bag among floral arrangements. Marquez then exited with the other brown paper bag.
Shortly afterward, a fire was discovered outside, which the pastor extinguished. Police determined Marquez had placed the brown bag against the church’s exterior wall and set it on fire before fleeing.
Inside the blue gift bag, police found a paper plate and a printed photograph with hostile writing directed at Charlie Kirk, who was killed earlier that month. The messages included profane and threatening language. A business card belonging to Marquez was also found in the bag, linking her to “La Macuca,” an LLC offering human-rights-based strategic and artistic services.
Court documents revealed Marquez’s previous ties to El Paso, including a 2007 citation. She was taken into custody on September 18 and booked with a $50,000 bond on charges including arson with intent to damage a place of worship.
The church vigil was expected to draw a large crowd, and authorities treated the threats seriously amid heightened community concern.
