Royse City police, fire conduct joint investigation on house fires and death

ROYSE CITY, TX (March 18, 2022) On Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 4:17 p.m., the Royse City Police Department received a call of a subject inside a house in the 700 Block of Valley Court in Royse City, TX. It was reported to 911 by a caller that a male subject, who was related to the homeowner, entered the home with a firearm and a can of gasoline and ordered a family member to get out of the house. While officers were enroute, it was advised that the house was now on fire. Upon arrival at 4:23 pm, officers observed heavy smoke and large flames coming from the inside of the residence.

At 4:25 pm, Rockwall County 911 Dispatch received a call regarding a second house on fire in the 500 Block of Janette Court in Royse City. Fire Department Personnel from Royse City Fire Department, Fate DPS, Heath DPS, McLendon-Chisolm Fire Department and Rockwall Fire Department responded to both locations and the fires were contained. Both structures sustained heavy damage.

A search of the residence on Valley Court discovered a deceased body believed to be a 19-year-old male. The two residences are related to the same family members. Based on evidence recovered at the scene, it appears that the 19-year-old male subject may have intentionally set both fires before taking his own life.

The Royse City Police Department and the Royse City Fire Department are conducting joint investigations. There is no further information available at this time.

Submitted press release by Royse City Police Department, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News.