Man Charged with Murder in Fire Killing Worcester MA Firefighter Charles Roy

WORCESTER — A 21-year-old West Boylston man was ordered held without bail Friday on second-degree murder, arson and armed burglary charges in a December fire that claimed the life of Firefighter Christopher Roy. The suspect once lived in the house he allegedly set on fire and was in a dispute with former roommates, authorities said.

Momoh Kamara, of 157 Hartwell St., West Boylston was arrested without incident Friday morning at his home on a warrant issued after a Worcester County grand jury handed up the secret indictments against him. Secret indictments become public upon arrest or arraignment.

District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said at a press conference before Mr. Kamara's Worcester Superior Court arraignment that the suspect was a former resident of 7 Lowell St., where Firefighter Roy was killed Dec. 9 while battling an early morning blaze.

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A firefighter for 2½ years, the 36-year-old Shrewsbury resident was trapped on the second floor of the three-story apartment building before being pulled out by his colleagues. An autopsy determined that he died from smoke inhalation and that the manner of death was homicide, according to Mr. Early.

In a courtroom filled with Worcester firefighters, Mr. Kamara entered not-guilty pleas Friday afternoon and was ordered held without bail by Judge William F. Sullivan, who continued his case to April 24. At the request of Mr. Kamara's lawyer, Blake J. Rubin, the bail order was made without prejudice, which will enable Mr. Rubin to seek a bail hearing at a later date.

In addition to the indictments related to the fatal fire, Mr. Kamara pleaded not guilty to a charge of maliciously damaging a motor vehicle on March 23 of last year.

Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey T. Travers told Judge Sullivan during the arraignment that Mr. Kamara, who formerly lived at 7 Lowell St., had been asked to leave the building at some point and became involved in a dispute with his former roommates over property.

He said fire officials determined that the fire was set in multiple locations in the basement of the apartment building. The prosecutor told the judge that video surveillance, Uber and Lyft records and Mr. Kamara's bank records were among the pieces of evidence leading to his indictment.

Mr. Rubin later told reporters that his client had no prior criminal convictions. He said the case againt Mr. Kamara appeared to be "circumstantial," based on what was said during the arraignment. The defense lawyer described Mr. Kamara as "beside himself scared" as a result of the charges brought against him.

Mr. Early said during the press conference that the investigation into the fire was ongoing. Federal authorities are part of the investigation.

Mr. Early called the arrest a coordinated and cooperative investigation that spanned three months.

Mr. Early, Fire Chief Michael Lavoie and Police Chief Steven Sargent thanked the Fire Department, Police Department, city manager's office, state police, the state fire marshal and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives for their work on the case.

Chief Lavoie said it was a determined and professional effort in completing the investigation and securing the indictment.

"While we are heartened that Mr. Kamara will face justice, our department is still devastated by the death of our brother firefighter Christopher Roy," Chief Lavoie said.

A death certificate for Firefighter Roy filed at City Hall, which was updated Friday, said that the manner of his death was homicide and that he was a "victim of fire set by other(s)."

In 2017, Mr. Kamara was arrested on assault and battery charges involving a household member. He was accused of strangulation, according to court records.

Cyrus Moulton of the Telegram & Gazette Staff contributed to this report.

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