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FDNY responds to deadly arson fire in NYC
A man in New York City faces serious charges after a devastating apartment fire resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left several others injured. Sources indicate that the accused, a Mexican national residing in the U.S. illegally, faces the possibility of being released back into the public as the city’s officials reportedly decline to comply with a request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for his transfer to immigration authorities.
Roman Ceron Amatitla, 38, who hails from Maspeth, is charged with eight counts of second-degree murder and first-degree arson. The charges stem from allegations that he deliberately set fire to a three-story building in Flushing on March 16, choosing his target at random.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz detailed the events leading up to the incident. On that fateful day, Amatitla reportedly entered and exited the Avery Avenue building several times, behaving erratically by urinating in front of the apartments. He then proceeded to a nearby gas station, where he purchased a beer, stole a second one, and acquired a pack of matches after refusing to pay for a lighter.
The authorities allege that Amatitla re-entered the apartment building for the last time, igniting a piece of paper and tossing it onto trash near a stairwell, sparking the tragic blaze.
Authorities allege he then entered the apartment building for a fourth and final time, lighting a piece of paper on fire and tossing it onto trash near a stairwell.
A large response was seen near the March 16 fire in New York City. (Peter Gerber)
As smoke engulfed the street, Katz said he stayed in the immediate area to watch people burn and jump from the windows while sipping his beer, in what she described as an “act of mass murder.”
On Tuesday, U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) requested the New York City Department of Corrections (NYCDOC) not release Amatitla from jail.
However, because of New York’s sanctuary policies, the NYCDOC told ICE that it will refuse to cooperate.
“This monster set fire to a building and watched as innocent people, including a three-year-old, burned to death. New York City sanctuary politicians REFUSE to cooperate with ICE and are choosing to RELEASE this MURDERER onto New York streets,” DHS acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital.
Roman Ceron Amatitla is charged in connection with a deadly New York City arson. (DHS)
“New York’s sanctuary politicians must stop putting politics above public safety,” she continued. “Releasing this monster from jail is insanity and will allow him to commit more crimes and create more innocent victims. We are calling on Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani to not release this public safety threat.”
DHS claims New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s executive order shields criminal illegal immigrants and “allows them to reoffend and create more innocent victims.”
At least four people died in the New York City fire, which was allegedly intentionally set last month. (Peter Gerber)
Mamdani’s action came after Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul’s legislative proposal to bar local police departments from partnering and cooperating with ICE enforcement.
DHS said New York’s failure to honor ICE detainers has resulted in the release of 6,947 illegal immigrants from Jan. 20 to Dec. 1, who are accused of crimes including: 29 homicides, 2,509 assaults, 199 burglaries, 305 robberies, 392 dangerous drugs offenses, 300 weapons offenses and 207 sexual predatory offenses.
Roman Amatitla was seen being transported in handcuffs. (WNYW)
In addition, DHS said 7,113 illegal immigrants in the custody of a New York jurisdiction had an active detainer during that time period for crimes including: 148 homicides, 717 assaults, 134 burglaries, 106 robberies, 235 dangerous drugs offenses, 152 weapons offenses and 260 sexual predatory offenses.
DHS officials confirmed Amatitla is an illegal immigrant, though it is unclear where and when he entered the country.