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A 38-year-old man from Maspeth, Queens, has been charged with multiple counts of murder and arson after allegedly setting a fatal fire in a Flushing apartment building that killed four people, including a three-year-old girl, and injured seven others. According to authorities, Roman Amatitla was arraigned on Thursday (April 9) and is being held without bail following the blaze on Saturday, March 16.
Prosecutors say Amatitla had no known connections to the building or its residents and chose the site at random. He reportedly told investigators that he started the fire to release his anger after losing his job in the food industry. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the incident as "an act of mass murder."
Surveillance footage captured Amatitla entering and exiting the building several times before the fire, at one point urinating in front of the location. He then purchased beer and matches at a nearby gas station, stole another beer, and returned to the apartment complex. Prosecutors say he lit a piece of paper at the base of the stairwell and placed it on top of garbage, triggering a fast-moving fire in the first-floor hallway as he watched and drank beer.
The fire forced several residents to jump from windows in a desperate attempt to escape. Among the victims were three-year-old Sihan Yang, 61-year-old Chie Shin Ming, 49-year-old Chengri Cui, and 64-year-old Hong Zhao. Authorities said Zhao died from blunt force trauma after jumping out a window, while the others succumbed to smoke inhalation. Another person suffered serious burns and a traumatic brain injury during their escape.
Two firefighters were also injured when the building’s stairwell collapsed, sending them into the basement. They were treated for smoke inhalation and thermal burns.
Amatitla faces eight counts of second-degree murder, twelve counts of assault, eight counts of arson, and four counts of petit larceny related to stealing beer, according to amNewYork. He pleaded not guilty and is due back in court Monday.
His attorney, Vivian Cedeño, stated, "Our client has been charged, but a charge is not a conviction. We intend to vigorously represent him and I would ask that we let the legal system play out because right now he is presumed innocent."
Authorities continue to investigate, while the community mourns the loss of life and awaits further court proceedings.