A suspect is in custody and charged with aggravated arson following a fire at East Gate Apartments last month.

The suspect, David Michael Stallings Jr., is being held on five felony charges including three counts of aggravated arson after his capture in the Sewanee area.

According to the Tullahoma Fire Marshal’s Fire Investigations Unit, the incident which led to the arrest happened on Nov. 9 at 1:13 a.m. It was at that time that the Coffee County Communications Center notified Tullahoma Fire Department of a smoke alarm activation at 131 Silver Street (East Gate Apartments) via emergency page. Dispatch information further stated that an apartment door had been set on fire.

Tullahoma Police and Coffee County EMS were dispatched to the scene as well and the incident was treated as a structure fire response. Upon arrival it was determined that the bulk of the fire had been extinguished by the tenant before escaping the apartment. Suppression crews made entry into the structure, checked for fire extension and eliminated any remaining hot spots. Following the termination of suppression efforts, on duty fire investigator, Engineer Josh Nelms began the preliminary fire cause and origin investigation. After interviewing the tenant of the affected apartment and discussing the circumstances surrounding the fire event with TPD, Engineer Nelms had the Tullahoma Fire Marshal notified and dispatched to the scene. Fire Marshal Nick Kimbro along with TPD Sgt. Kennedy Cpl. Weaver, and Patrol Officer Medley interviewed the tenant, witnesses, and reviewed security camera footage.

Based off evidence collected at the scene, witness statements, and the security camera footage, the fire was ruled as incendiary (intentionally set). FM Kimbro collected evidence samples at the scene, then sent them to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime lab for forensic micro analysis. Tullahoma Police Investigator Jason Maloney was notified that the incident had led to a criminal investigation. A suspect for the incident was identified as David Michael Stallings Jr. Warrants were then issued for the arrest of Mr. Stallings.

In the coming days, both Investigator Maloney and FM Kimbro received several leads as to the whereabouts of Mr. Stallings. All leads were followed up on. Late last week, through tips and assistance from federal counterparts with the U.S. Marshals Service, it was discovered that Stallings had made his way to the Sewanee / Monteagle area. Photographs of Stallings obtained by FM Kimbro and Investigator Maloney were distributed in the area. A citizen recognized Stallings and notified Sewanee Police Department who apprehended him at the St Mary’s Retreat. Mr. Stallings was transported back to Coffee County Jail and is being held on five felony charges including three counts of aggravated arson as the tenant and her children were in residence at the time of the fire event.

“On behalf Tullahoma Fire Department, Fire Marshal Kimbro would like to commend and thank Tullahoma Police Investigator Jason Maloney for leading the criminal investigation, The Tullahoma Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, The US Marshals Service Sewanee Police Department, and all other entities and individuals for their tireless efforts and involvement in bringing this suspect into custody.”