SPRING, TX – A Houston-area man is now officially charged with felony murder and arson after investigators say he set a massive fire at a local apartment complex that killed his own brother and injured 13 others, including a 3-year-old boy who was severely burned.
Matthew Atwater faces a felony murder charge with an underlying charge of arson in connection with the blaze that broke out early Sunday morning, July 20, at the Cypresswood Apartments, located at 4607 Cypresswood Drive.
Atwater was scheduled to appear in probable cause court Monday morning to hear the charges against him. Instead, the judge in the case ordered him held at the Mental Health Unit, or MHU, rather than appear in court.
KPRC2 obtained surveillance video showing Atwater walking around the complex shortly before flames broke out and shot high into the air. Investigators say one man was killed and 13 others were injured in the blaze. The man killed was Atwater’s own brother.
Investigators say Atwater had gotten into some kind of violent argument with family members shortly before allegedly setting the fire. The judge in the case wants to make sure nothing like that happens again if Atwater is ultimately released on bond.
Neighbors tell KPRC2 that Atwater had been seen setting a small grass fire at the same apartment complex several months ago. According to CrimeStoppers of Houston, Atwater also has a history of other violent crimes.