A Florida man has been charged with murder and arson after he admitted intentionally igniting a fire that killed four people and three dogs.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was alerted shortly after 12 a.m. Wednesday of a potential fire on South County Line Road in Plant City, part of the Tampa Bay area.
As firefighters extinguished the flames in the mobile home, they found four dead adults inside, the sheriff’s office said. The victims have not been identified yet, pending the medical examiner’s results for manner and cause of death and notification of next of kin.
Detectives later learned that Shawn Gossett, 25, who lived in the home, started the fire “with the intent to burn the house down,” officials said.
He was arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder while engaged in arson, three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of arson of a dwelling. Online court records show he is being represented by a public defender.
It’s not clear what the motive was.
“The details of why and his motive are still being worked out,” Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said at a news conference.
Gossett was friends with the family that lived in the home, but the extent of the relationship is still under investigation.
Gossett was found near the property and cooperated with detectives.
In his interview with authorities, Gossett said he used a Bic lighter to ignite some paper towels, authorities said.
He was not injured, Maurer said, noting it’s not clear whether he had any mental illness.
“This is an utterly senseless and horrific crime where four innocent lives were tragically taken due to the evil actions of this man,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement.
“I want to commend our detectives and our partners at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue for their swift actions which resulted in the arrest of this individual and their relentless efforts to ensure justice is served,” he added.
