March 15, 2019
For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul Jarvey (508) 368-7241
WORCESTER — A Worcester County grand jury handed up indictments today, charging a West Boylston man with second-degree murder in the December fire that killed Worcester firefighter Christopher Roy, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. announced at a press conference today.
The indictments allege that the fire was intentionally set. The defendant, Momoh Kamara, 21, of 157 Hartwell St., West Boylston, is also charged with arson of a dwelling, armed burglary and malicious destruction of a motor vehicle.
Superior Court Judge William Sullivan ordered that Mr. Kamara be held without bail after he was arraigned this afternoon. His case was continued to April 24.
Firefighter Roy, 36, died on Dec. 9 fighting the blaze at 5-7 Lowell St. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined today that Firefighter Roy died of smoke inhalation and the manner of death was homicide.
Mr. Kamara, a former resident of 7 Lowell St., was arrested without incident by Worcester Police.
Investigators determined that the fire was started in the early hours of Dec. 9 in the basement of 5-7 Lowell St. Residents of the three-story building were able to escape without injury.
“Today’s indictment was the result of a long and intense investigation that started immediately after Firefighter Roy’s death and is ongoing,” Mr. Early said. “This investigation is an example of tremendous cooperation and coordination by local, state and federal agencies. I want to thank everyone involved for the many painstaking hours of hard work necessary to get us to where we are today.”
He praised the work by the Worcester Police and Fire Departments, the City Manager’s Office, Massachusetts State Police, the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant District Attorneys Jeffrey T. Travers and Joseph A. Simmons have been assigned to prosecute the case.