(Lawrenceville, Ga., November 8, 2017) – Gwinnett County Fire Investigators have charged a 23-year-old Duluth man with intentionally setting a fire in the bedroom of a former female acquaintance.  The fire occurred on April 13 of this year in the 2200 block of Ewell Park Drive, SW in (unincorporated) Lawrenceville.  The woman was not home at the time and no injuries were reported. The fire was discovered around 1:55 p.m., by two occupants who were in the upper portion of the three-story townhome unit.  The pair was alerted by the smoke alarm and went downstairs to find smoke and flames in the bedroom.  

According to Fire Investigators, John Oh Kim unlawfully entered the ground floor of the townhome through a side door and started the fire in the bedroom on the same level.  Samples collected at the scene by Fire Investigators were sent for lab testing and returned positive for gasoline.  The fire caused minor damage to the room and contents and was quickly doused with a garden hose by the unsuspecting occupants.  The fire was already out when fire trucks arrived.

Fire Investigators have charged Kim with four felonies to include: First-Degree Arson, First-Degree Burglary, Aggravated Assault and Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime.  Kim was taken into custody at his place of business on Tuesday, November 7.  He was transported to the Gwinnett County Detention Center by police.  According to Fire Investigators, Kim was identified by the victim as a potential suspect.  Warrants for Kim were taken based on the subsequent investigation. Kim admitted to the crimes during an interview with Fire Investigators.  He is currently jailed without bond.     The motive in the case appears to be domestic related.  “Arson is a serious felony crime and certainly threatened the lives of the two people who were inside the townhome unit,” said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge.  We are fortunate that no one was injured or killed and that the damage was not more severe.