Police and Fire Connect Dots Between Murder and Possible Arson

Little Rock Police and Fire Departments try to connect the dots on how the murder of a Little Rock man last Wednesday relates to a suspicious fire at the same man`s house just two days later. Investigators say they`re definitely related, but how and why is still in question. At press time, the Fire Marshal`s office could not confirm that the Friday night fire on Spring Street was arson, but say it is suspicious. Neither police or fire departments can say much because both the fire and murder are still under investigation, but neighbhors afraid of retaliation hope it`s all wrapped up soon. It started when shots rang out at the Express Mart on Wednesday. Several bullets hit 24-year old Julian Branch who later died at a hospital. Two days later, the fire department was called to his home. "The house was just gushed in flames, looked like the whole house was on fire," said a neighbor who does not want to be identified, for fear of retaliation. "When they got there, they found the southwest corner fully involved, the bedroom sitting in the front part of the house, the living room was 50 percent involved," explained Little Rock Fire Captain Dennis Free. The fire started around 9:30 Friday night. "We maybe thought it may have had something to do with the killing or everything that was going on during the week," the resident said. Around 1 a.m. Saturday morning, 24-year old Quentin Gaye was arrested in Clark County for the first-degree murder charges for Julian Branch. "It`s a shame a person thinks they have to commit a violent crime to pay back for a violent crime," said Little Rock Police Sgt. Terry Hastings. And if that`s the case, police say a crime like this could have several layers for them to peel through. "All of the bad blood that may be between two individuals, that`s probably the case here, because there`s probably some things that`ve gone on, we`re not completely aware of," Hastings said. So, that`s what police are still investigating and keeping quiet on in the meantime. "After nine or ten o`clock at night the traffic was very heavy. I could hear doors slamming people talking all night long," said the anonymous resident. Police say they`ve increased patrols in this neighborhood looking out for any more problems. Officers also say they`re still looking for several other people who were in the car with their murder suspect last week. If the fire department determines the house fire to be arson, then police will also be looking for arson suspects.