Thread: 2 Memphis Firefighters dead...arson

http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=1325818

Darrell Phillips
ATF investigates arson and murder case that killed two firefighters

Pvt. Charles Zachary (L) and Lt. Trent Kirk, Memphis firefighters killed in Sunday night blaze

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We have new information on the man accused of setting a fire that killed two Memphis firefighters in the line of duty. Anthony Shaw faces federal charges of arson in the blaze at the Family Dollar store. Investigators say Shaw admitted to starting the fire to cover up stealing thousands of dollars from the store's safe. Shaw is in federal custody. Tuesday night, Action News Five spoke with Shaw's family.

ATF agents are still out at the fire scene, two days later. It has been a busy day as they worked to help put the case against this 21 year-old together. And as we learned tonight, Anthony Shaw has been making it easy for them.

21 year-old Anthony Shaw must know he's in big trouble. The Family Dollar manager admitted to starting the fire to cover his tracks after a heist on Sunday. Thomas Malone, Union President said, "I hope he burns in hell for eternity."

Now, top fire officials believe it may turn into a murder case. ATF agents issued a federal search warrant for the house he lived in. Gene Marquez, Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms said, "We were looking for United States currency and any documentation included but not limited to checks, credit card receipts, tickets and or deposit items associated with the proceeds of Family Dollar stores." They found something, but wouldn't say what.

When we looked closer at his record, we found something too. It's not the first time he's had trouble managing the Family Dollar. The "environmental citation" shows that as recently as a month ago court officers were at the store ordering him to clean it up. They wrote that the outer premises were not maintained, that there was litter - boxes, plastics, etcetera - strewn on the ground. They came back five days later, the mess was still there. A week later, same thing. So they charged him with improper maintenance of premises. He was due in court next week for an arraignment.

His family members didn't want to talk about it. Neighbors too were shocked. Neighbor Frederick Flagg said, "He was very quiet. Kept to himself. Always seen him by himself." His grandmother still doesn't believe it. Doris Shaw, Grandmother said, "M'am... He admitted to doing this. Oh, whatever you say." "Did he tell you that he DIDN'T do this? Yes. He said, 'I didn't do this'. Yes." She even suggested that he's had trouble with mental illness in the past.

If convicted, Anthony Shaw could serve life in prison or get the death penalty.

We know that a special request has been sent to U-S Attorney General John Ashcroft. A letter from the International Association of Firefighters reads, "On behalf of the Thirteen hundred-92 firefighters in the Memphis, Tennessee Fire Department, the 260-thousand professional firefighters across our great nation and the families of the two brave Memphis fire fighters who were killed in a deliberately set arson fire, the International Association of Fire Fighters respectfully requests that you seek the death penalty against accused arsonist, Anthony Paul Shaw."

Told my dad about it last night. I just figured he had already heard about it. I couldn't remember the names, but I printed the article. Plan on telling him the names tonight. I am so glad Daddy isn't a full-time firefighter anymore. It use to scare me so bad when they would show them on tv.