Teenage Witness Charged In Lawrenceville New Year's Day Arson

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - A teenager seen on his skateboard near a burning house New Year's Day has been charged with arson.

Austin Childers, 18, of Lawrenceville, is charged with three felonies including burglary, first degree arson and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

All are in connection with the house fire New Year’s Day on Castle Royale Drive in unincorporated Lawrenceville.

Related: Lawrenceville New Year's Day Fire Is Arson; Officials Need Help

Firefighters responded to the blaze at 5:23 a.m. after the alarm company called 911. Crews found flames and smoke inside the two-story, wood-frame house. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and found no one inside. The occupants, who were in the process of moving into the home, were temporarily staying in an apartment.

Childers was initially sought as a possible witness in the case, but was later identified as a suspect
based on information gathered during the investigation. Fire officials were able to match the
description given by a responding fire crew and a second witness, of an individual on a skateboard, to Ring doorbell video related to other crimes that happened that night.

Childers had an interaction with Gwinnett County police early in the morning on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and was taken into custody on unrelated charges. He was booked at the Gwinnett County
Detention Center and was questioned by fire investigators and police detectives. Childers admitted to the burglary and arson fire during an interview at the jail, fire official said.

There are several police cases tied to the suspect. As of today, Childers has been accused of multiple charges including DUI, theft by receiving stolen property, criminal damage and burglary.