Suspect In Fox News Christmas Tree Arson Identified

 

Craig Tamanaha Suspect in Fox News Tree burning

The suspect alleged to have lit the Fox News Christmas tree on fire has been identified as Craig Tamanahae. Details are limited at the moment, but ABC7 reports that the 49-year-old homeless man’s last known address was in Brooklyn.

News broke early Wednesday morning that the tree had been lit from inside. The news was covered live by Shannon Bream on Fox News.  Later the New York Police Department announced that they had captured the suspect who they are charging.

ABC7 reports more details:

Police say the 49-year-old suspect climbed up “the metal superstructure” — the tree is an artificial sculpture that is shaped to look like a tree — lit papers he brought with him on fire, and shoved the papers into the tree structure.

He then climbed down and watched from the street level as it burned, and he was spotted by building security who pointed the man out to police officers posted in nearby Rockefeller Center.

The suspect is identified as 49-year-old Craig Tamanaha, who is homeless, with a last known address in Brooklyn.

A lighter was found in his possession.

Little is known at the moment about Mr. Tamanaha other than his three prior arrests — two for drug possession and one for public intoxication. He is expected to appear in court Wednesday on charges of criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, arson, criminal nuisance, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, endangering others, and disorderly conduct.

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea revealed that investigators were considering whether mental illness played a part in the arson. Shea said: “The motive I don’t think is clear at this point. It’s an individual that is known to us. He has a series of low-level arrests and drug arrests. He was issued earlier this year some appearance tickets and didn’t come back to court, which unfortunately is something we see all too often. Also has some low-level arrests out of state.”

CEO Suzanne Scott announced in a company-wide memo that Fox News plans to replace the All-American Christmas tree in a new lighting ceremony which has not yet been announced. Read her full memo here.

This post will be updated as more details become available.

Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com

Filed Under:

Colby Hall is the Founding Editor of Mediaite.com. He is also a Peabody Award-winning television producer of non-fiction narrative programming as well as a terrific dancer and preparer of grilled meats.