Amarillo, TX – A 46-year-old Texas man has been charged with murder after investigators say he set his roommate on fire while he was still alive, leaving behind a deadly blaze that destroyed their trailer home. Authorities said the suspect smelled strongly of gasoline and had soot on his hands when questioned by police.
The Incident: Early Morning Fire Reveals Disturbing Crime
According to the Amarillo Police Department, the investigation began in the early hours of October 27, when first responders arrived at a trailer park fire around 4:53 a.m. Officers and firefighters found a trailer fully engulfed in flames.
After evacuating nearby residents, firefighters discovered a deceased man inside the trailer, later identified as 46-year-old James Sosa.
Witnesses at the scene told police they had seen someone walking away from the trailer moments before smoke and flames appeared. Authorities immediately began treating the case as suspicious.
An autopsy report obtained by KVII News confirmed that Sosa was alive during the fire, revealing “soot deposits in his trachea and airway paths to the lungs” — clear evidence that he had inhaled smoke while still breathing.
Investigation and Evidence Collected
Later that same day, police interviewed Luis Angel Rico, 46, who shared the trailer with Sosa and had returned to the scene of the fire. Rico initially told investigators that he had last seen Sosa between 1:00 and 2:30 a.m., claiming that Sosa had been watching TV on his phone and had lit a candle inside the trailer.
Rico claimed that while he was away from the trailer, he noticed smoke in the area and believed Sosa might still be inside. He told police that when he went back and saw the trailer on fire, he started to call 911 but heard sirens already approaching.
However, officers quickly became suspicious after noticing that Rico smelled of gasoline and had visible soot on his hands and clothing. When officers searched him, they also discovered four fentanyl tablets in his pockets. Rico was arrested on drug possession charges while investigators continued to gather evidence.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Amarillo Fire Marshal’s Office, forensic testing later revealed traces of an accelerant on Rico’s right pant leg, coat sleeve, and both shoes, suggesting that he had been in direct contact with flammable materials used to start the fire.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Following the discovery of physical evidence, Rico was charged with murder, accused of intentionally setting the fire that killed James Sosa.
Investigators allege that Rico used an accelerant to ignite the blaze, trapping Sosa inside the trailer. The autopsy findings confirmed that Sosa died from smoke inhalation, proving he was alive when the fire began.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, but sources close to the investigation say the two men had a history of arguments and tension in their shared residence.
Rico was booked into the Potter County Jail and is currently being held without bond. Officials said additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.
Statements from Neighbors and Officials
Neighbors told local reporters that they were awakened by loud noises and the smell of smoke early that morning. Some residents saw flames consuming the trailer before emergency crews arrived.
“I saw the fire from my window, and it spread fast,” one witness said. “We didn’t know someone was still inside until firefighters went in.”
The Amarillo Fire Department confirmed that the fire was intentionally set and that accelerant residue was recovered from multiple locations inside and outside the trailer. Officials described the crime scene as “gruesome and deliberate.”
“This was not an accident,” said a department spokesperson. “The evidence clearly shows the victim was alive during the fire and that this was a willful act.”
Background and Legal Context
Under Texas law, murder by arson is classified as a first-degree felony, punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty if aggravating factors are proven. Prosecutors said they plan to pursue the maximum penalty, given the brutality of the crime and the clear evidence of intent.
Investigators are also reviewing Rico’s criminal history, including prior arrests for drug-related offenses and domestic disputes in the Amarillo area. Authorities said toxicology results and forensic analysis of the accelerant will be presented to the Potter County District Court in the coming weeks.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Rico remains in custody as the Amarillo Fire Marshal’s Office and Police Department Homicide Unit continue their joint investigation. Detectives are still gathering witness statements and surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses to reconstruct the events leading up to the fatal blaze.
Officials expect formal arraignment proceedings to begin within the next two weeks. The Potter County District Attorney’s Office confirmed it will seek a grand jury indictment for capital murder.
Conclusion
The tragic killing of James Sosa, allegedly burned alive by his roommate, has left the Amarillo community reeling. With strong forensic evidence linking Luis Angel Rico to the crime, prosecutors say they are determined to ensure justice for the victim and send a message that intentional acts of violence will not go unpunished.
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