FBI investigating arson, 'Vote Trump' tag at black church

"Vote Trump" is spray painted on the side of the fire damaged Hopewell M.B. Baptist Church in Greenville, Miss., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Fire Chief Ruben Brown tells The Associated Press that firefighters found flames and smoke pouring from the sanctuary of the church just after 9 p.m. Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (The Associated Press)

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An ATF agent clears out debris in the fire damaged Hopewell M.B. Baptist Church in Greenville, Miss., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. "Vote Trump" was spray-painted on an outside wall of the black member church. Fire Chief Ruben Brown tells The Associated Press that firefighters found flames and smoke pouring from the sanctuary of the church just after 9 p.m. Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (The Associated Press)

ATF agents collect paint samples from the spray-painted "Vote Trump" slogan outside fire damaged Hopewell M.B. Baptist Church in Greenville, Miss., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Fire Chief Ruben Brown tells The Associated Press that firefighters found flames and smoke pouring from the sanctuary of the church just after 9 p.m. Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (The Associated Press)

GREENVILLE, Miss. – The FBI has opened a civil rights investigation into the arson and vandalism of an African-American church in Mississippi, where "Vote Trump" was spray-painted on an outside wall.

Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons called the fire and graffiti a "heinous, hateful, cowardly act."

The fire blackened the sanctuary's pews, pulpit and walls, but the shell of the church is still standing.

Fire Chief Ruben Brown Sr. estimated that it was 80 percent destroyed. He says authorities are offering an $11,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction of whoever did it.