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A man from Pennsylvania faces serious charges after allegedly setting a house ablaze, resulting in the death of an Army veteran and severe injuries to two others. This incident reportedly stemmed from the man’s anger after being rejected by a woman at the residence.
Forty-year-old Robert Shane Zimmerman was taken into custody following the alleged arson at a Lewistown home late Wednesday night, according to a statement from the Lewistown Police Department on their Facebook page.
Upon their arrival, officers were informed by several residents that the blaze had been started deliberately and that there were individuals trapped inside the multi-tenant property.
One man, in a desperate attempt to escape, leaped from the house’s second floor, sustaining serious facial injuries. He was subsequently airlifted to a specialized burn trauma center due to internal burns affecting his throat. This individual also alerted authorities that his girlfriend remained inside the burning structure.
Authorities have reported that Zimmerman’s alleged actions were triggered by his response to being spurned by a woman residing in the home. (Lewistown Police Department)
A woman also sustained serious injuries after passing out from smoke inhalation and falling onto a concrete sidewalk below, according to police. She was also transported to a trauma center for treatment.
Another victim, identified as Brandy Phillippe, 44, was found dead inside the home after authorities said she appeared to have attempted to escape but became trapped in the residence, according to the Mifflin County Coroner’s Office.
Multiple witnesses reported Zimmerman was at the home to profess his love for a woman living in the attic, police said. The fire was later confirmed to be arson by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal.
“It was reported that Zimmerman became upset when he was rejected by the female and he began setting several items on fire on the first floor of the residence,” police said, adding that the woman was later taken into custody for a prothonotary warrant issued in February.
During the investigation, witnesses reported hearing Zimmerman admit to starting the fire. They also said they saw him standing in a nearby alley watching the residence burn.
Surveillance images appeared to corroborate the witnesses’ statements, police said.
Zimmerman was later taken into custody at his home on an outstanding warrant, as well as for questioning related to the house fire, with police saying he smelled like ash and smoke.
A woman was killed and two other victims were seriously injured in the fire. (City Hook & Ladder #14 – Lewistown, PA)
After being taken into custody, Zimmerman said he had just ingested fentanyl and displayed signs of an opioid overdose. He was transported to a hospital for evaluation. Several hours later, medical staff cleared him, and he was transported to the police department for questioning in connection with the fire.
During questioning, Zimmerman made “several incriminating statements,” police said.
Zimmerman claimed he could not recall any details from the exact time the fire began, but he was able to make several statements about events immediately before and after the fire started, according to police.
When he was informed someone in the residence had died as a result of the fire, police said Zimmerman had a “strong emotional response.”
Zimmerman is being held at the Mifflin County Correctional Facility on multiple charges, including arson, police told the Lewistown Sentinel.
Fox News Digital has reached out to police for additional information.
It was not immediately clear whether Zimmerman had legal representation.
Robert Shane Zimmerman is being held at the Mifflin County Correctional Facility on multiple charges, including arson. (City Hook & Ladder #14 – Lewistown, PA)
Phillippe’s death is being investigated as a homicide, according to the coroner’s office.
According to her obituary, Phillippe was a “woman of many talents” who had a background in culinary arts and attended flight attendant school.
“She was a proud Army veteran who specialized in Patriot missiles during her service. Later in life, she achieved her CDL and worked as a professional truck driver,” the obituary reads.
“She had a passion for cats and loved many over the years,” it continued.
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