ROCKINGHAM— A man is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly setting fire to an occupied home earlier this week.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the East Rockingham Fire Department responded to a call of a structure fire on Safie Sixth Street around 2:43 a.m. on Dec. 7.
When fire crews and deputies arrived on scene, the porch and side of the house were engulfed in flames, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies determined no one was left inside the home and began interviewing bystanders and learned that there were four people inside — including the suspect’s former girlfriend — when the fire started, and that tires on two of the victims’ vehicles had been cut, investigators say.
The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation Arson Unit also responded.
On Friday, investigators arrested 43-year-old Michael Kevin Allen, of Calvert Street with first-degree arson, four counts of attempted first-degree murder and violation of a domestic violence protective order.
Allen is being held in the Richmond County Jail under a $2 million secured bond and without bond on the violation.
Online court records show Allen is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 20 on two misdemeanor counts of communicating threats and violating a protective order.
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Allen was convicted June 28 of communicating threats and violating a protective order and given a suspended sentence.
Allen also has a history of assault convictions: assault on a female in 2000, 2001, 2008, 2011; assault inflicting serious injury in 2001, 2003, 2011; assault with a deadly weapon in 2008.
In 2016, Allen was convicted of attempting to intimidate a witness and of habitual misdemeanor assault, which is a felony.
Records show Allen has also been convicted on both misdemeanor and felony larceny charges, and of breaking and entering, interfering with emergency communications, driving while impaired, resisting a public officer, criminal contempt, and two counts of an employment security violation.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
