From The Trussville Tribune Staff Reports
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Two juveniles have been charged with aggravated arson after the wildfires in east Tennessee that killed at least 14 and destroyed hundreds of buildings.
The Tennessee Bureau o Investigation hasn’t released much information about the suspects, as they are under the age of 18. If they are charged as adults, more information could be released.
“As a result of the local, state and federal agencies working together, we are pleased to announce that two people have now been charged for their roles in starting the fire,” TBI Director Mark Gwyn said. “Unfortunately, these two individuals are juveniles. I can tell you that this investigation is active and ongoing and we still have a lot of work to do.”
According to Fourth District Attorney General James Dunn, the fires started in the Chimney Top area of the Great Smoky Mountains.
“The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the National Park Service, and the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office have conducted a joint investigation into the cause of this fire,” Dunn said. “I like to thank those agencies for their hard work and collaborative efforts.”
The two charged with the crime are being held at the Juvenile Detention Center in Sevier County, according to Dunn. The two aren’t fron Sevier County, but are residents of Tennessee.
Publisher’s Note: This story was edited at 8:11 p.m. to change the word children to juveniles which accurately reflects the term used by Tennessee authorities.
15 Comments
Suzanne Williams Crosby
Not sure I’d call them “children”.
Drake Odeneal
They’re NOT children! They’re teenage delinquents !
Becky Flippin Holcombe
Because of them, families lost loved ones.
Cecilia Kirk
Will they also be charged with murder?
Alice Patterson Irwin
They should also be charged with murder for the lives that were lost
Janet Marino
they should be held responsible for the damage and the deaths
Sylvia Sullivan Lmt Nmt
People used to be married, have kids and support themselves at 15 or 16. Being a teenager was never an excuse for had behavior until the 60s. Just like a 13 or 14 year old girl knows it’s wrong to canoodle with a teacher or grow man n today’s world, boys know the hell what they’re doing too. Unless they’re a sociopath they know what right and wrong….
Jane Scoggins
Not sure I would call them children…….
Jennifer Chinnis Lawley
They aren’t children!
Tjo Johnson
Hope they charge them with murder. They had no idea what they were setting off when they did this. They should have to face each family that lost a loved one. Not to mention the costs to other homeowners and businesses.
Tjo Johnson
Hope they charge them with murder. They had no idea what they were setting off when they did this. They should have to face each family that lost a loved one. Not to mention the costs to other homeowners and businesses.
Jason Archer
I would seek the death penalty. No exceptions. Buildings will be rebuilt. Trees will grow back. Wildlife will recoup. There is no bringing back those human lives.
Jason Archer
I would seek the death penalty. No exceptions. Buildings will be rebuilt. Trees will grow back. Wildlife will recoup. There is no bringing back those human lives.
Cindy Sams Deerman
They need to walk every inch that was burned, they need to see the pain they have caused, to face the families and business owners. Then they should have to help with the clean up and replanting, 10, 12, 14 hours a day, until they drop.
Marie Leech
They’re not children. They’re teenagers.