TACOMA, WA – In the predawn darkness, a quiet neighborhood was shattered by chaos as flames engulfed a sober living home, trapping terrified residents and leaving three men fighting for their lives.
Andrew Cole Keen, 29, is at the center of the unfolding tragedy. Authorities allege that Keen, who had only just moved into the home three days earlier, not only stabbed his housemates but deliberately set a fire at the base of the stairs, in what is believed to have been an effort to bar escape for those sleeping upstairs.
Prosecutors have charged Keen with three counts of second-degree attempted murder and a count of first-degree arson. He is being held on $1 million bail after pleading not guilty in court.
The violent incident erupted Tuesday around 4 a.m. at a registered sober living facility in the 4000 block of South 34th Street. Police say that in those early hours, one resident woke to frantic shouting filling the air, followed seconds later by screams for help and the growing roar of fire.
Court documents reveal that Keen’s mental state had significantly deteriorated in the days leading up to the incident. Residents told investigators that Keen stopped taking his prescribed medications and began acting erratically, even accusing others of “stealing” intangible things, such as thoughts or emotions.
When the attack began, one resident managed to call 911 while engulfed in flames. Others rushed to escape, with at least one housemate leaping from an upstairs window in desperation. Witnesses said that the origin of the chaos was immediately clear to them, with Keen identified by name as the aggressor.
Investigators say the danger was compounded when Keen allegedly set ablaze several mattresses and clothing at the foot of the staircase, creating an inferno that blocked the main exit for anyone trapped above.
Authorities also noted alarming messages sent to Keen’s father, who was out of state. Prior to the violence, Keen reportedly messaged his father to say he would be going to jail that night because he intended to harm people.
Officers swiftly arrived on scene, discovering three victims suffering from stabbing and burn injuries. One of the men was listed in critical condition at the hospital. Keen was located at a convenience store nearby, with burn marks, a cut on his hand, and both matches and a lighter in his possession. When questioned about the blaze, authorities say he merely smiled.
Detectives continue to piece together the events that led to the rampage, while the victims receive medical care. Keen remains in custody pending further legal proceedings, as the community grapples with the devastating aftermath of the early morning attack.