CHICAGO — Merlin Lu, a 21-year-old who identifies as a University of Illinois Chicago student, was arrested on Monday and charged with multiple felonies including hate crime and arson. Police stated that Lu ignited a fire that damaged municipal property in the 600 block of South Columbus Drive at approximately 2:40 p.m. on June 9.

Prosecutors charged Lu with two felony counts of hate crime, one felony count of arson, and one felony count of property damage between $500 and $10,000. He also faces misdemeanor charges for disorderly conduct, reckless conduct, property damage under $500, and cross burning to intimidate.

Law enforcement had previously released a surveillance photograph showing a suspect leaving the location. Keinika Carlton observed the burning cross and uploaded a video of it to a social media platform. St. Sabina announced a $10,000 reward for information identifying the person responsible for the fire.

Lu sent a video to a broadcast station identifying himself as the individual who set the fire. He stated that the fire was intended as a political protest against Donald Trump. "In no way possible was that a hate crime. I understand why it was interpreted that way, and I apologize for that, but no, the intent was not there." Lu said.

Lu claimed he placed a red campaign hat on the cross before igniting it. However, video footage of the burning cross does not show a hat placed on it. Lu identifies as a student in his final year at the University of Illinois Chicago. A university official said an individual with Lu's name was enrolled at the institution recently but was not enrolled as of the fall term. Lu is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Thursday.