Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Latest in the case of a man accused of slaying roommates who he said were neo-Nazis who disparaged his Islamic faith (all times local):
1:30 p.m.
The sister of a man fatally shot by his roommate says she believes her brother was staying with an avowed neo-Nazi in Florida because her brother was looking for work, not because he shared his views.
Alyssa Himmelman is the sister of Jeremy Himmelman. Police say 18-year-old Devon Arthurs confessed to killing the 22-year-old Himmelman and 18-year-old Andrew Oneschuk in the Tampa apartment they shared. They say Arthurs claimed the two were neo-Nazis who disparaged his Islamic faith. Arthurs says he previously shared their views before converting to Islam.
Also arrested was a fourth roommate, Brandon Russell, after bomb-making materials and Nazi propaganda were found in the apartment. Russell told authorities he was a neo-Nazi who started a group called Atomwaffen.
Alyssa Himmelman said her brother was friends with Russell and Arthurs, but she described Arthurs as "sick and twisted."
___
2 a.m.
A Florida man told police he fatally shot his neo-Nazi roommates because he wanted to prevent a planned act of domestic terrorism.
Court documents filed Tuesday show that 18-year-old Devon Arthurs made the comment to police on Friday after leading officers to the bodies.
Arthurs, who told police he was a recent convert to Islam, said his roommates had disparaged his new religion and that their behavior also spurred his actions.
Investigators found bomb-making materials, Nazi propaganda and a framed photograph of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh in the apartment with the bodies.
Also arrested was a fourth roommate, Brandon Russell, an active member of the Florida National Guard who police say admitted to being a neo-Nazi and who gathered the explosives.
A court hearing for Arthurs was postponed Wednesday.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
