A Raleigh man is facing a first-degree arson charge after authorities say he tried to start a fire late Tuesday night at Oak City Cares, a downtown hub for people experiencing homelessness. Several people were inside at the time, but authorities did not immediately report any life-threatening injuries. Court documents identify the suspect as Devon Lovegrove‑Mosby, who was taken into custody and is expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.
According to WRAL, court records show Lovegrove‑Mosby has been charged with first-degree arson. The same records list pending drug charges and indicate officers were on the scene Tuesday night.
Oak City Cares and the location
Oak City Cares describes itself as an independent 501(c)(3) multi-service center that connects people experiencing homelessness to housing, health care and case-management services. The group lists its address as 1430 South Wilmington Street in downtown Raleigh and notes that it provides weekend meals, showers and referrals to county programs, according to Oak City Cares.
Investigation and charges
WRAL reports that several people were inside the building during the incident and that police are investigating whether the suspect attempted to set fire to a home operated by Wake County. Court filings cited by the station say Lovegrove‑Mosby faces the arson charge and related drug charges and was seen being led away in handcuffs.
Why the site matters
The City of Raleigh's draft annual action plan notes that Wake County purchased the Oak City Cares property in 2017 as part of a public-private partnership and that the site functions as a coordinated-entry access hub for the county's homelessness response, according to the city plan. That collaborative model helps explain why Oak City Cares hosts multiple partner services and why an incident there drew a rapid response from police and county officials.
Legal implications
Under North Carolina law, willfully burning an occupied dwelling can be charged as first-degree arson and is treated as a felony. The state's penal code defines degrees of arson and their associated penalties, as outlined in the North Carolina General Statutes. The charge listed in court records is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Police continue to investigate, and court records show Lovegrove‑Mosby is scheduled to appear Wednesday afternoon. This story will be updated if officials with Oak City Cares, Wake County or Raleigh police issue statements or if new court filings become available.
