Posted on 04/18/2018 11:53:42 AM PDT by Heart of Georgia
RIVERDALE — The Noah’s Ark Road stable fire that killed two dozen horses was intentionally set, fire officials announced Wednesday.
Stockbridge man charged with arson in stable fire that killed 24 horses
Jonathan Espinoza-Vasquez
The man believed to be responsible for the fire is now in police custody. Jonathan Espinoza-Vasquez, 23, of Stockbridge was arrested Thursday, April 12. Because he has pending charges in Henry County, he is currently being held in the Henry County Jail and is expected to face charges of first degree arson and aggravated animal cruelty in Clayton once those charges are disposed.
“We believe that the fire was intentionally set in retaliation for a domestic incident relating to a member of Mr. Espinoza’s family and members of the property owner’s family,” Fire Chief Landry Merkison said during a press conference Wednesday morning at fire headquarters. “At this point, we are declaring this fire was arson.”
Merkison said investigators are still looking into just what would incite Espinoza-Vasquez to allegedly set fire to a stable with horses still inside. When firefighters arrived on the scene just before midnight on April 4, the stable was fully engulfed in flames.
Twenty-four horses trapped inside the two-story structure did not survive. Only one was able to escape, but it was burned and injured.
Stockbridge man charged with arson in stable fire that killed 24 horses
Two dozen horses were killed just before midnight April 4 in a stable fire on Noah’s Ark Road. The stable was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. (Special Photo)
Deputy Chief Fire Marshal David Vazquez said Espinoza-Vasquez was at one time in a relationship with the daughter of the property owner at 1877 Noah’s Ark Road. The couple share an infant child. At some time prior to April 4, members of the property owner’s family allegedly assaulted someone related to Espinoza-Vasquez, prompting him to return to the property where the mother of his child resides, Vazquez said.
The alleged assault is currently under investigation with the Clayton County Police Department. Charges are expected in that incident, though Vazquez said that Espinoza-Vasquez was not expected to be considered a suspect in that case.
Espinoza-Vasquez was wanted in Henry County for failure to appear on misdemeanor charges of obstructing an officer, fleeing or eluding police, and driving without a valid license or without proof of insurance. According to fire officials, Espinoza-Vasquez is a Mexican citizen and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a hold on him while he’s in custody.
He is set to appear for a preliminary hearing in Henry County on May 8.
Merkison said Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services received several tips from community members and through Crime Stoppers in relation to the stable fire. It was the first tip received through Crime Stoppers that led to the break in the case.
“We thank that person for coming forward, and, through some social media posts and some texts that they were able to share, it’s what led us to Espinoza,” Vazquez said.
While he is denying any involvement in the fire, officials said, police have evidence that connects Espinoza-Vasquez to the property on the night of the fire. At this point in the investigation, they are not able to determine how or where the fire was started because of the amount of hay and other flammable material inside.
There was no electricity running to the stable or any other sources that could cause an accidental fire, Vazquez said.
He said that authorities are still working to track down the owners of the horses so that the district attorney can make a determination on the number of charges, and he believes that Espinoza-Vasquez was not acting alone.
“This is an ongoing investigation,” Vazquez said. “Those (suspected family) members are going to be investigated and we are going to bring them to justice as well.”
You believe or suppose that the arsonist conspired with the stable owners? If that is true you surely know nothing of horse owners/keepers. Every horse person knows how much horses fear fire. I cannot imagine one who would fire a stable full of horses. You, Sir, are sick.
Thanks.
I got one for that Son of a bitch. Take him up north hen the black flies and such get real bad-Canada comes to mind. Strip him and nail his nuts to a stump, tie him up and just watch that c-sucker.
One hour is all it would take.
You’re welcome. I just assumed it was within the article, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I, overly-sensitive sir, have known instances of corrupt stable owners setting fires. It’s they who are sick, not me for merely pointing out that fact. The arsonist being the father of the stable owner’s grandchild is going to give the insurance company pause. That’s all I’m saying.
I do not think insurance fraud is involved in this particular fire, but it is not unheard of. It is nice that you think so highly of horse owners, and the overwhelming majority of them would never even consider killing a horse for money, burning or any other means, but not everyone is so honest, or humane:
No problem——we have a Stockbridge in MA-—so I thought that it might be there.
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If he would have been a Muslim immigrant, then he might have killed 24 American men, women and children. That would have been a much better ending for the religion of peace./sarc
It’s very expensive to be part of the horsey set boarding just one quarter horse, let alone doing it at scale. There’s also the perception of prestige, so it draws shady sorts from time to time just as any moneyed environment does. The circumstance here very likely is on the up and up, but the arsonist being connected to the stable owner is going to give rise to questions because such arson for profit is not unheard of, horrifying as it obviously is to anyone who knows horses at all.
And I know about Stockbridge, MA! Oh, well, lesson learned :-)
I would officially pull the trigger on this guy.........
Doubt it.
You might have to stand in line.
Horrible!
The local Rush station did report him as illegal.
I want to be first..!!
I totally understand...
He was merely killing horses that American chat American Citizens won’t kill.
That is why whenever I meet an abortion supporter, I mention something about 100 puppies being put down. It is funny to watch baby killers go ballistic over the death of some animals.
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