GASTON CO., N.C. – A man accused of setting his home on fire with his newborn child, fiancé and her father inside is out of the hospital and is now in jail. Gaston County Police say 35-year-old Shawn Christenbury started the fire at the home on December 1st.
Brittney Smith and her 6-month-old baby got out of the home in time. Smith’s 60-year-old father Randy Smith did not. Christenbury was burned in that fire and spent the last week in the hospital. Now that he’s been released from the hospital, he’s in the Gaston County Jail. He is charged with first degree murder, two counts of attempted first degree attempted murder, and first degree arson.
Christenbury is being held without bond.
Gaston County Police continues to work closely with the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office and the Gaston County Fire Marshal’s Office. They say this remains an active investigation, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective J. Waldrop at 704-866-3320 or Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000.
