by Amarillo, Texas – A Texas man has been charged with murder after police say he set his roommate on fire inside their trailer, leaving him to die in the blaze. The shocking case has rattled residents of an Amarillo trailer park, where investigators say the suspect reappeared at the scene still smelling of gasoline and covered in soot.
Firefighters Discover Horrific Scene in Amarillo Trailer Park
The Amarillo Police Department said the investigation began in the early hours of October 27, when first responders were called to a fire at a trailer park just before 5 a.m. According to local reports, officers arrived to find a recreational vehicle fully engulfed in flames.
Neighbors were evacuated as firefighters worked to control the blaze. Once the fire was extinguished, crews made a grim discovery — a man’s body was found inside the charred remains of the trailer.
Witnesses told officers they had seen someone walking away from the trailer moments before the flames erupted.
Victim Identified as 46-Year-Old James Sosa
Police later identified the victim as James Sosa, 46, who shared the trailer with his roommate, Luis Angel Rico, also 46. An autopsy revealed soot deposits in Sosa’s trachea and airways, a key finding that confirmed he was still alive and breathing when the fire began.
Investigators believe Sosa died from smoke inhalation and burns sustained during the fire.
Roommate Returns to Scene, Smelling of Gasoline
Later that same day, police encountered Rico after he returned to the scene of the fire. According to the criminal complaint, he told officers that Sosa had been watching TV on his phone in the trailer between 1 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. and had been burning a candle before the fire started.
Rico said he had left the area for a short time but noticed smoke when he returned. He claimed he went to call 911 but heard emergency sirens approaching and assumed help was already on the way.
However, police said that when they spoke to Rico, he smelled strongly of gasoline and had soot on his hands. During a search, officers found four fentanyl tablets in his pockets, leading to an initial drug possession charge.
Evidence Points to Intentional Arson
A further investigation by the Amarillo Fire Marshal’s Office revealed evidence linking Rico to the deadly blaze. Forensic testing reportedly detected traces of an accelerant on his pants, coat sleeve, and both shoes — consistent with someone who had recently handled flammable materials.
Authorities concluded that the fire was intentionally set and that Sosa had been alive when the flames were ignited. Based on the evidence, Rico was charged with murder and accused of setting his roommate on fire.
Officials have not yet disclosed a possible motive behind the attack.
Suspect Held Without Bond
Rico was taken into custody and booked into the Potter County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
Investigators have not indicated whether additional charges will be filed. The Amarillo Police Department continues to work closely with the Fire Marshal’s Office and local prosecutors as the case moves forward.
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Authorities have not released details about the suspects’ relationship beyond confirming that the two men had been roommates.
Community in Shock After Grisly Discovery
Neighbors at the trailer park expressed shock and disbelief at the violent nature of the crime. One resident told local reporters that the two men had “seemed quiet” and had lived in the trailer for several months without incident.
“This neighborhood is usually peaceful,” another neighbor said. “It’s hard to imagine something like that happening right next door.”
The Amarillo Fire Department and local police are reminding residents to report suspicious activity and to ensure that smoke alarms and fire safety equipment are functional, especially in mobile or trailer homes where fires can spread rapidly.
Ongoing Investigation
As authorities continue to gather evidence, the community is left grappling with the disturbing details of what police have described as a “deliberate act of violence.”
Anyone with additional information related to the case is urged to contact the Amarillo Police Department Homicide Unit or Amarillo Crime Stoppers.
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