Pennsylvania man accused in fatal arson attack after woman rejected him

A Pennsylvania man is accused of setting fire to his home after police say he became upset after a woman at the residence rejected him, killing an Army veteran and seriously injuring two others.

The Lewistown Police Department wrote on Facebook that 40-year-old Robert Shane Zimmerman was arrested for allegedly starting a fire at a home in Lewistown on Wednesday around 11:55 p.m.

When the police arrived at the scene, some citizens said that the fire was started deliberately and people were trapped in the house, which was rented to several renters.

A man suffered serious facial injuries after jumping from the second floor of a home and was taken to a burn trauma center with internal burns to his throat. He informed authorities that his girlfriend was still inside.

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A woman was also seriously injured when she was overcome by smoke and fell to the concrete pavement below, according to police. He was also transported to a trauma center for treatment.

Another victim, identified as Brandy Phillippe, 44, was found dead in the home after authorities said she tried to escape but was trapped inside, according to the Mifflin County Coroner’s Office.

Police said multiple witnesses testified that Zimmerman was at the home to confess his love for a woman who lived in the attic. The fire was later confirmed to be arson by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal.

“Zimmerman reportedly became upset when he was rejected by the woman and began setting fire to several items on the first floor of the residence,” police said, adding that the woman was later taken into custody due to a protonotary warrant issued in February.

During the investigation, witnesses reported hearing Zimmerman admit to starting the fire. They also said they saw him standing in a nearby alley watching the house burn.

Police said surveillance footage corroborated witnesses’ statements.

Zimmerman was later taken into custody at his home on an outstanding warrant and was questioned about the fire in the house, where police said he smelled ash and smoke.

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A woman died in the fire and two people were seriously injured. (Urban Hook and Ladder #14 – Lewistown, PA)

After being taken into custody, Zimmerman said he had just taken fentanyl and showed symptoms of an opioid overdose. He was transported to the hospital for evaluation. A few hours later, medical personnel cleared him and he was transported to the police department for questioning in connection with the fire.

During questioning, Zimmerman made “several incriminating statements,” police said.

Zimmerman claimed that he could not remember any details about the exact time the fire started, but he was able to give several accounts of what happened just before and after the fire started, according to police.

Police said Zimmerman had a “strong emotional reaction” when he was notified that someone inside the residence had died as a result of the fire.

Zimmerman is being held in the Mifflin County Jail on multiple charges, including arson, police told the Lewistown Sentinel.

Fox News Digital has reached out to police for additional information.

It was not immediately clear whether Zimmerman had legal representation.

Robert Shane Zimmerman is being held in the Mifflin County Jail on multiple charges, including arson. (Urban Hook and Ladder #14 – Lewistown, PA)

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Phillippe’s death is being investigated as a homicide, according to the medical examiner.

According to her obituary, Phillippe was “a woman of many talents” who had a culinary arts background and attended flight attendant school.

“He was a proud Army veteran who specialized in Patriot missiles during his service. Later in life, he earned his CDL diploma and worked as a professional truck driver,” his obituary said. writes.

“He had a passion for cats and loved many cats over the years,” she continued.