Body
A New York City man has been charged in the death of four people, including a toddler, after prosecutors said he set fire to a residential building in Queens last month. The death of a 3-year-old and three other occupants was followed by injuries to several others, prosecutors said.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called the case “one of the greatest crimes that this borough has seen in a very long time,” according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said Roman Amatitla, 38, was seen entering and leaving the building multiple times on March 16. They said he bought a box of matches and stole a beer from a nearby gas station before returning to the building.
According to the criminal complaint, prosecutors said Amatitla lit a piece of paper on fire and placed it on a pile of garbage in the stairwell, then watched the flames spread while drinking a beer outside. The complaint states that Amatitla knew the building was occupied and that people would be harmed.
The blaze killed Sihan Yang, 3; Chengri Cui, 49; Shin Chie, 61; and Hong Zhao, 64, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said Zhao died after leaping from a window to escape the flames.
Four other people were treated for injuries, some severe, after jumping from the building, prosecutors said. Prosecutors also said two firefighters were hurt after a staircase collapsed during the blaze.
Amatitla, prosecutors said, later told investigators that he knew the building was occupied and that people would be harmed. The complaint says he also told investigators that he needed to “get out his rage” after being fired from his job, and that the job was unrelated to the building or anyone who lived there.
Prosecutors charged Amatitla with eight counts of murder in the second degree, arson and other charges. He faces 25 years to life if convicted, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Amatitla’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.