Man Indicted for Murder in Fatal NYC Fire

A Manhattan grand jury indicted Roman Amatitla, 33, on four counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson on May 13, 2026, in connection with a February 25 house fire in New York City that killed four people, including a 3-year-old boy. The fire broke out just after 5 a.m. at a two-story home on Beach 220th Street in the Breezy Point section of Queens. Prosecutors say Amatitla intentionally set the blaze using gasoline poured on the first floor, trapping victims upstairs. Amatitla, the boyfriend of one of the victims, had been arrested days after the fire on lesser charges including criminal possession of a weapon and menacing. He faced initial felony counts of assault and criminal possession of a controlled substance after police recovered a loaded gun and drugs from his car near the scene. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office upgraded those to murder following a three-month investigation by NYPD fire marshals and prosecutors, who analyzed surveillance video, witness statements, and physical evidence like burn patterns and accelerant residue. (; ) Who were the victims? The fire claimed the lives of 3-year-old Sebastian Gomez, his mother Julisa Gomez, 32, her sister Gaby Gomez, 28, and Gaby's 3-year-old daughter Ariana Gomez. Julisa and Sebastian died at the scene from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, according to the medical examiner. Gaby and Ariana succumbed to their injuries at Jamaica Hospital later that morning. The family had gathered at the home after celebrating Sebastian's third birthday the day before; relatives described Julisa as Amatitla's live-in girlfriend of several years. (; ) What evidence links Amatitla to the arson? Fire marshals determined the fire was intentionally set after finding a trail of gasoline from the front door to the kitchen, where the point of origin was identified. Surveillance footage from a nearby home captured Amatitla leaving the residence minutes before flames erupted, carrying a red gasoline can, prosecutors said in court filings. A witness reported seeing him flee the area in his vehicle, which police later searched, finding the can, a lighter, and the gun. Amatitla's phone records placed him at the scene, and he had scratches on his arms consistent with climbing a fence to escape, per the criminal complaint. No motive has been publicly detailed by authorities. (; ) What happened in the days leading up? Witnesses told police that Amatitla and Julisa Gomez argued violently on February 24, hours after Sebastian's birthday party. Neighbors heard yelling and crashing sounds from the home around midnight. Amatitla allegedly threatened Julisa with a gun during the dispute, leading her to call 911 twice that night—once reporting an assault, and again fearing for her life. Officers responded but left after a brief check, as no visible injuries were observed. Amatitla fled before the fire but was tracked to a relative's home in Brooklyn within 48 hours. (; ) How has the community and family responded? The Gomez family held a joint funeral for the four victims on March 2 at a Breezy Point church, attended by over 200 mourners. Julisa's brother, Carlos Gomez, told reporters outside court on May 13: "He took everything from us—our sister, our nephew, our niece. Justice can't bring them back, but it has to happen." Breezy Point, a tight-knit beach community, rallied with fundraisers raising $150,000 for the family via GoFundMe. Amatitla's arraignment is set for May 20 in Manhattan Supreme Court, where he faces life in prison if convicted on the top counts. He is held without bail at Rikers Island. (; )