Court: Snapchat video shows arson at former Rosemont Headstart Center
A Snapchat video and a witness’ account of Thursday afternoon’s arson at the former Rosemont Headstart Center helped officials link four individuals to the incident, according to testimony Wednesday afternoon in Columbus Recorder’s Court.
Travis Lee Carter, 19, Hunter Michael Tillis, 18, Katlyn Ann Young, 17, and a juvenile were identified as the four people who burglarized the vacant building at 4332 Rosemont Drive before burning it at 3:55 p.m. No one was injured.
Sgt. Jason Bridges with the Columbus Fire & EMS said he responded to the scene shortly after Columbus police were called to the brick building to investigate a report of vandalism. Fires were found in multiple points inside of the structure, which housed the Enrichment Services Program as late as 2013 but is now owned by the Muscogee County School District.
“There were multiple bulletin boards caught on fire,” Bridges testified. “Along the hallway, there were little small fires that looked liked paper or some type of combustible that was available. One room received substantial damage to the floor and walls.”
He also noted that a substance that appeared to be paint had been poured on the walls and in the middle of the hallway.
You can see Mr. Carter and Mr. Tillis lighting brooms on fire and dragging them down the hallway. You could see small pieces of the brooms on fire falling onto the floor. You can hear a female’s voice in the background.
Sgt. Jason Bridges with Columbus Fire & EMS
Bridges said his department obtained a cellphone that contained a Snapchat video showing a portion of the incident.
“You can see Mr. Carter and Mr. Tillis lighting brooms on fire and dragging them down the hallway,” he said. “You could see small pieces of the brooms on fire falling onto the floor. You can heard a female’s voice in the background.”
Carter, Tillis and Young were apprehended that day and charged with first-degree arson and second-degree burglary. The juvenile has yet to be charged.
Carter allegedly told authorities that he entered the school and attempted to put the fires out as they started but didn’t set them. He also said Tillis, Young and the juvenile set the fires, Bridges testified.
The older suspects, who pleaded not guilty to both charges, were ordered held in the Muscogee County Jail on bonds totaling $10,000. Their case was bound over to Superior Court.
Sarah Robinson: 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92
This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 4:41 PM with the headline "Court: Snapchat video shows arson at former Rosemont Headstart Center."