Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- The Columbia Police Department said the person of interest wanted for questioning in a deadly arson investigation has been identified as an active Columbia firefighter.
Columbia City Manager Teresa Wilson announced Saturday evening that the firefighter has been suspended from "active service with the City of Columbia."
Chief Skip Holbrook said officers received tips on the man's identification after Columbia Police released surveillance pictures on Saturday morning.
Officers said they contacted the firefighter on Saturday, but he refused to be questioned and requested an attorney.
Wilson released a statement Saturday night:
"At this time, I have issued a directive to suspend the Columbia firefighter who has been identified as a person of interest in the ongoing arson investigation that is being conducted by the Columbia Police Department and SLED. This action will be effective immediately and the firefighter will be placed on investigatory suspension without pay until further notice. This decision was made after conferring with officials with the Columbia Police Department. Due to the fact that the firefighter has not complied or cooperated with the Columbia Police Department, I made the decision to suspend the employee from active service with the City of Columbia.It is in the best interest of the city and our citizens for the employee in question to be relieved of his duties until the ongoing arson investigation has been closed. Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins is in full support of this decision, however I have personally issued the directive for the employee to be suspended in order to maintain an appropriate distance between the Columbia Fire Department and the ongoing investigative process."
Investigators said they believe the man has information about the arson at Plantation Court Apartments last Sunday, which resulted in the death of 80-year-old True Dent Henderson.
Columbia Police, the Columbia Fire Department and SLED continue to investigate the fire.
If you have information about the man in the pictures or the crime, you can call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, text to CRIMES (274637), and start the message with "TIPSC," or by going to midlandscrimestoppers.com and click on the "Submit a tip" tab.