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Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Suspect in Custody in Double Murder by Arson Investigation | ||
| DATE: | April 15, 2015 | ||
| CASE #: | 15-007538 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE |
| On April 15, 2015 at approximately 1:00 AM, Kingsport Central Dispatch was notified of residential structure fire, located at 746 East Sevier Avenue in Kingsport. Various area emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene. Upon their arrival, Kingsport Fire Department personnel found the front of the residence heavily involved in flames. Firefighters located a female fire victim with severe burn injuries outside the residence. She was transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County E.M.S. where she was pronounced deceased. A male fire victim was found deceased inside the residence.
Once the fire was extinguished, an investigation into the cause of the fire ensued. This investigation was a cooperative effort between arson investigators from the Kingsport Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, the Kingsport Fire Department’s Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Tennessee Bomb and Arson Unit. Based on evidence recovered at the scene, the investigators immediately suspected arson. Several hours into the investigation, a suspect identified as Paul Henry Robinson was observed in the vicinity of the crime scene. The investigators noticed that he had visible burn injuries and singed hair. After further investigation, investigators determined that Mr. Robinson had deliberately set the fire with the intent to kill the two deceased individuals. Mr. Robinson was arrested and incarcerated in the Kingsport City Jail where he remains awaiting arraignment. His charges include: 1) Aggravated Arson 2) Especially Aggravated Burglary 3) First Degree Murder (2 counts) 4) Felony Murder (2 counts) The identities of the two victims are not being released at this time pending positive identification by the medical examiner and notification of next of kin. Anyone with any additional information related to this investigation who has not yet spoken with investigators is asked to contact the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111. Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link: |
| SUSPECT INFORMATION | |
| Name | Paul Henry Robinson |
| Age | Date of Birth 2/4/1959
56 Years of Age |
| Race/Gender | White/Male |
| Residency | 729 Maple Street
Kingsport, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Aggravated Arson
2) Especially Aggravated Burglary 3) First Degree Murder (2 counts) 4) Felony Murder (2 counts) |
| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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