Gastonia, N.C. - November 15, 2022: Detectives from the Gastonia Police Department (GPD) have charged Marvin Durell McCaskill, age 35, of Jay Avenue in Gastonia, with attempted murder and arson-related offenses for the arson that occurred at Tony’s Ice Cream during the early morning hours of August 4.
The Gastonia Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an origin and cause investigation and determined that the cause of the fire was incendiary in nature and contacted the Gastonia Police Department to begin a criminal investigation.
GPD detectives determined that the suspect broke a window to the business, threw a flammable accelerant inside the broken window, and fled the area.
During the investigation, detectives recovered DNA evidence from the crime scene. The suspect's DNA was entered into a national DNA database (Combined DNA Index System - CODIS) and matched to McCaskill’s DNA.
In late October, investigators obtained a search warrant for a DNA sample to be taken directly from McCaskill.
On November 1, detectives obtained a DNA sample from McCaskill via cheek swab and submitted McCaskill’s DNA to an independent lab for comparison to the DNA recovered at the crime scene.
On November 14, GPD investigators were notified that the DNA sample obtained from McCaskill was a 100% match to the suspect’s DNA recovered at the crime scene.
Investigators obtained a warrant for McCaskill’s arrest charging him with attempted first-degree murder, burning certain buildings, possession of a weapon of mass death and destruction, attempted malicious damage of occupied property by use of explosive or incendiary, and felony breaking and/or entering.
McCaskill was arrested without incident this afternoon (November 15)
Bond information for McCaskill is not yet available.
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