California authorities have arrested a man suspected of intentionally setting a fire that killed 12 people in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles in January.
The fire was the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles and destroyed much of Pacific Palisades.
Man charged with ‘maliciously starting’ Palisades fire
Bill Essaly, acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said 29-year-old Jonathan R. was arrested on suspicion of “maliciously starting the Palisades Fire in January”.
“Among the evidence collected from his digital devices was an image he had created on ChatGPT that depicted a burning city,” Essaly said in a statement on X.
He was arrested in Florida and will be transferred back to the Central District of California to stand trial.
Along with a photo of the suspect, Essaly also posted other photos showing various city scenes with mirrored scenes of flames and destruction.
More than 6,000 homes and buildings were destroyed
The fire began on January 7 and burned throughout the day, devastating neighborhoods and scorching more than 23,000 acres (9,308 ha), destroying more than 6,000 homes and buildings in Pacific Palisades.
Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the Eaton fire, which broke out in the Altadena community the same day and killed 18 people.
The mandatory minimum sentence for the arson charge is five to 20 years.
If the crime of arson results in injury or death, the penalties are severe, with life in prison or the federal death penalty being sought.
Edited by: Wesley Rahn