Authorities say a 48-year-old woman is facing an arson charge after she was caught on doorbell video pouring gasoline around a southwest Charlotte home and allegedly telling officers she meant to set it on fire while people were still inside. She was ordered held on a $500,000 bond.
Details From Court Records
According to WCNC, court documents identify the suspect as 48-year-old Tonniemara Gabriel. The records say she is accused of taking a clear gas can and pouring gasoline around the front bushes and along the side of a home on Jacobs Fork Lane.
The affidavit quoted by the station says Gabriel allegedly told officers, “I intended to burn down the house with the occupants inside.” Officers recovered two lighters connected to the incident, one on the front lawn and another in Gabriel’s pocket, according to the documents.
What The Law Says
North Carolina law treats arson of an occupied home as a serious felony, with the exact charge depending on the details of the case. As outlined by the NC General Assembly, burning an occupied dwelling can be prosecuted as first-degree arson, which is classified as a Class D felony.
Case Status
The arrest affidavit states Gabriel is also being held as a fugitive on an out-of-state charge and that her bond was set at $500,000, details reflected in court records first reported by WCNC. The Mecklenburg County DA notes that the office is responsible for prosecuting felony cases in the county, including arson.
