Bond Stands for TX Man Accused of Fire that Killed FF

July 19, 2019
A judge denied a bond reduction request for a man who allegedly started a shopping center fire that left a San Antonio firefighter dead in 2017.

A man accused of intentionally starting a fire at a shopping center that killed a San Antonio firefighter and injured two others in 2017 was denied bail Thursday.

Emond Johnson is facing charges of felony murder and arson resulting in death, as well as two counts of arson and bodily injury and arson involving a building, KENS-TV reports. Johnson was indicted by a grand jury in December 2017, and his bail was set at $1.2 million.

On May 18, 2017, San Antonio responded to a fire at the Ingram Square shopping center. Firefighter Scott Deems died while battling the blaze, while firefighter Brad Phipps was seriously injured, and firefighter Robert Vasquez also was hurt.

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"We're happy about this outcome," Fire Chief Charles told KSAT-TV about the denial of the bond reduction request. "We understand that this will be a long event to where we'll have to continue to guard our emotions and be prepared for the case."