Worcester Firefighter's Death Ruled Homicide; Suspect Indicted

WORCESTER, MA - Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy's death has been ruled a homicide and a suspect has been charged.

Momoh Kamara, 21, was taken into custody Friday morning by Worcester police after he was indicted by a grand jury. He was arrested in connection to the fire that killed Roy and is charged with second-degree murder, arson of dwelling house, armed burglary and malicious damage to a motor vehicle.

He was arraigned in Worcester on Friday and pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. He is scheduled to return to court on April 24.

Kamara, a former tenant in the building, set the fire in the basement, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said at a press conference. Kamara is a West Boylston resident who knew people in the apartment building at the time of the fire, according to Early. Early said Kamara had "been in the area" since the Dec. 9 incident.

Kamara took an Uber to the area of the apartment building the morning of the fire and surveillance footage tracked him entering and leaving Lowell street during the times of the fire, according to Mass Live. The outlet reported that he took a Lyft away from the scene.

Roy died fighting a building fire in the early morning hours of Dec. 9 at 7 Lowell St. He was trapped on the second floor of the building with four other firefighters. They escaped, but Roy succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy revealed he died of smoke inhalation, the district attorney's office said.

Worcester Fire Chief Michael Lavoie expressed gratitude for the work of the investigators on the case and the bittersweet feeling the day entailed.

"While we are heartened that Mr. Kamara will face justice, our department is still devastated by the loss of our brother, firefighter Christopher Roy," he said. "The past three months have been extremely difficult for all of us as we continue to mourn his loss."

Roy left behind a 9-year-old daughter, Ava. He had been part of the department for just two years. Worcester Firefighters IAFF Local 1009 established a fund to benefit Ava.

Checks made out to the AVA ROY FUND can be mailed to the Worcester Fire Department Credit Union at 34 Glennie St., Worcester, MA 01605.

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