NYC Man Charged with Murder After Setting Deadly Fire Over Job Loss
Roman Amatitla, a 38-year-old New York City resident, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder and arson after setting a fire in a Queens residential building that killed four people, including a toddler. Prosecutors state Amatitla acted out of rage following his job loss, randomly selecting the building on March 16. He entered the structure multiple times, lit a piece of paper in the stairwell, and watched the blaze spread while drinking beer outside. The fire claimed the lives of Sihan Yang (3), Chengri Cui (49), Shin Chie (61), and Hong Zhao (64), who jumped from a window to escape. Four other residents were injured jumping, and two firefighters were hurt when a staircase collapsed. Amatitla admitted to investigators he knew the building was occupied but stated he needed to 'get out his rage.' He faces a sentence of 25 years to life if convicted.
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NYC Man Charged with Murder After Setting Deadly Fire Over Job Loss
Roman Amatitla, a 38-year-old New York City resident, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder and arson after setting a fire in a Queens residential building that killed four people, including a toddler. Prosecutors state Amatitla acted out of rage following his job loss, randomly selecting the building on March 16. He entered the structure multiple times, lit a piece of paper in the stairwell, and watched the blaze spread while drinking beer outside. The fire claimed the lives of Sihan Yang (3), Chengri Cui (49), Shin Chie (61), and Hong Zhao (64), who jumped from a window to escape. Four other residents were injured jumping, and two firefighters were hurt when a staircase collapsed. Amatitla admitted to investigators he knew the building was occupied but stated he needed to 'get out his rage.' He faces a sentence of 25 years to life if convicted.
AP News