Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook announces that the person of interest previously being sought for questioning in connection with a deadly arson investigation has been identified as an active Columbia firefighter.
Officers received various tips on the man’s positive identification after CPD released surveillance pictures of him this morning.
After being contacted by law enforcement today, the firefighter refused to be questioned and requested an attorney.
Investigators believe that the man has material information to the circumstances surrounding the arson which resulted in the death of 80-year-old True Dent Henderson at Plantation Court Apartments last Sunday.
According to Richland County Coroner Gary Watts, Henderson died from smoke inhalation.
The intentionally set fire continues to be investigated by CPD, the Columbia Fire Department (CFD) and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
If citizens have information about the crime, they are encouraged to call, text or submit online, their anonymous tip to Crimestoppers:
• CALL toll-free, 1-888-CRIME-SC
• TEXT to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with “TIPSC,” followed by the tip information
• LOG onto www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click the red “Submit a tip” tab