Man charged in death of Worcester firefighter Christopher Roy gets a lengthy prison sentence

WORCESTER, Mass. — A West Boylston man plead guilty Friday afternoon and was sentenced to 14 to 16 years in state prison for starting the fire that killed Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy.

24-year-old Momoh Kamara plead guilty to four counts, including voluntary manslaughter, arson of a dwelling, armed burglary, and malicious destruction of a motor vehicle in Worcester Superior Court. Judge Daniel Wren sentenced him to concurrent sentences of 14 to 16 years on manslaughter and arson charges and 5 years of probation.

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Christopher Roy was 36-years-old when he died on December 9, 2018 fighting a fire on Lowell Street in Worcester. Residents of the building were sleeping at the time but were able to escape without injury. Roy died of smoke inhalation according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Kamara was a former resident of 7 Lowell Street and was arrested without incident by the Worcester Police Department. He’s been held without bail since his arraignment in March of 2019.

“Today’s sentencing is the result of an intensive collaborative effort by all of the agencies who participated in this investigation, including local, state and federal agencies,” Mr. Early said. “I commend the work of everyone in this case, including Senior First Assistant Jeffrey T. Travers, Assistant District Attorneys Joseph A. Simmons and Jane Sullivan, for bringing this case to a conclusion that provides a measure of justice and closure to Firefighter Roy’s family. Our thoughts and prayers are and have been with the Roy family and the men and women serving on the Worcester Fire Department.”

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A victim impact statement was read by the family in court. They spoke of the devastation they have felt since that fateful night, and added that Roy “should still be here with us today.”

“Arson is a crime of extreme violence that puts the lives of the public and first responders in grave danger. This incident is a painful reminder of the violence inflicted from an arson. Momoh Kamara set a fire that claimed the life of firefighter Christopher Roy who was working to protect the public from additional devastation,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge ATF Boston Field Division.

“His sense of humor, his incredibly funny laugh, big bear hugs and booming voice are so profoundly missed,” the victim impact statement read. “He was an incredibly loyal and trustworthy friend to so many people.”

In closing, the family said that Roy’s legacy will live on through his friends and family and the firefighters who he considered his brotherhood.

“Let it be a reminder to all of us to never give up, no matter what, to always try our hardest, be positive no matter what and to live each day as though it would be our last. That’s what Chris did, dying on December 9, 2018 searching to save lives in that deadly fire. We know he never gave up, he persevered.”

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