Columbus man arrested for setting home on fire with people inside
On Saturday, May 25, around 2:17 a.m., Lowndes County E 9-1-1 received a call about a disturbance at 2236 Hwy 373
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus man is arrested for attempted murder after setting a home on fire while two people were inside.
On Saturday, May 25, around 2:17 a.m., Lowndes County E 9-1-1 received a call about a disturbance at 2236 Hwy 373.
Deputies were told that the person causing the disturbance would not leave and said he was going to burn the house down and kill the people inside.
Deputies were also told the subject had discharged a firearm into the air.
This disturbance had been ongoing for several days.
While deputies were speaking with the complainant, another person called 9-1-1 to report that the house was fully engulfed in flames.
When deputies arrived on the scene, they found two people who had escaped the burning house.
The victims described the suspect as a thin, 5’10”, Hispanic male with short black hair.
The victims said they did not know the subject’s real name but called him “Paco.”
The victims said that he told them they better open the door.
When they refused, “Paco” stated he was going to burn the house down and kill them.
They ended up crawling out of the house after it was set on fire.
“Paco” left the scene in a white truck.
Both victims were not injured.
Several hours later, a deputy was in the area of the residence, he noticed a white Ford F-150 truck with an individual who matched the description of the suspect.
The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, and the suspect was identified as 45-year-old, William Mendoza.
The deputy arrested Mendoza for running a red light, no driver’s license, and no insurance.
Officials later found he had a small handgun and is a convicted felon.
Mendoza also had methamphetamine in his possession.
He admitted to setting the house on fire.
Mendoza was then charged with two counts of attempted murder.
His bond was set at $100,00 for each count.
