KEMPER COUNTY – A Kemper County man has been arrested on attempted murder and arson charges after deputies say he set fire to a Porterville home and threatened to kill a man inside.
According to the Kemper County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 5:48 a.m. Saturday to a residence at 1008 Tamola Road following a report of a structure fire.
Investigators said Kendrick Keontae James entered the home carrying a container of gasoline and allegedly poured gasoline throughout the interior.
Authorities said a verbal altercation then occurred between James and the victim.
During the confrontation, James allegedly ignited the gasoline inside the residence, threw gasoline onto the victim and threatened to kill him, according to the sheriff’s office.
James was arrested and charged with one count of attempted murder and one count of arson.
During an initial court appearance Monday, a Kemper County Justice Court judge set bond at $500,000 on each charge, for a total of $1 million.
James is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
