HAMMOND, La. — The Louisiana Fire Marshal's Office has arrested a suspect who is accused of starting a fire in the paint aisle of a Walmart store in Hammond on Christmas Eve.
43-year-old Terrence Michael Coe was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on December 27, on a count of aggravated arson, attempted 2nd-degree murder, armed robbery and terrorism.
According to the Fire Marshal's Office, Coe started a fire inside the Walmart on W. Thomas Street around 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
"The fire was contained to the paint aisle of the store thanks to quick-acting employees and customers who utilized fire extinguishers to put out the blaze," a statement from the Fire Marshal's office said.
Officials say there were around 500 customers and employees inside the store at the time. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
According to the Fire Marshal's office, investigators obtained video evidence that shows Coe intentionally starting the fire.
The Fire Marshal's office said that they were able to identify Coe as the suspect by sharing still images from the video with media partners and the public via social media.
The release said that Coe told investigators he started the fire to distract from his efforts to rob items from the store.
"The SFM would like to thank the Hammond Fire and Police Departments for their partnership in this case and for the assistance of the media and public for their contributions to closing this case so quickly," the release said.
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