HOUSTON—
It started out as a fire, but investigators soon learned the flames were only used to cover up a much bigger crime. Now a suspect is on the loose.Police are on the lookout for 36-year-old Ken Pham, accused of fatally shooting his three roommates, then setting their apartment on fire.
It happened Sunday night on Brooks near Common, just north of downtown Houston.
Firefighters found the bodies in an upstairs apartment that sat on a grocery store and washateria.
Today, neighbors were shocked to find out that capital murder charges are pending against a man, they describe as a respected security guard.
"He looked like a cool man, the one who never gets in trouble," said Javier Garcia, a neighbor.
Police became suspicious when witnesses said they heard gunshots, and then saw Pham leaving the burning apartment in his green Toyota Camry. At one point, a witness told police Pham pointed a gun at him.
"I heard that he was going to get kicked out or something and then went postal," said John Macmillan. He said his friend was among the victims.
"He was a nice guy. I was sitting there and had a couple of beers with him yesterday. He had it going. He was about to graduate from U of H. He had one more semester to go," he said.
Like others, he hopes Pham will be caught soon.
The victims' identities have not been released pending autopsies.
Police are asking residents to be on the lookout for Ken Pham's green Toyota Camry with Texas plates Y13-HGW.
