Executive Summary
- Lerico Walker and Dvante Dotson were arrested on charges of attempted first-degree murder and arson.
- Investigators allege the suspects drugged a homeowner and set his East Baton Rouge home on fire.
- Surveillance footage and vehicle registration were used to link the suspects to the crime scene.
- Authorities discovered accelerants and a deceased pet inside the residence, corroborating the victim’s account.
Two men have been taken into custody in East Baton Rouge Parish on charges of attempted first-degree murder and arson following an investigation into a residential fire that authorities say was set to conceal a crime. Lerico Walker, 32, and Dvante Dotson, 29, were arrested after investigators linked them to a home on Elm Row Lane where a homeowner was allegedly drugged and his residence set ablaze.
According to the St. George Fire Department, crews responded to the fully engulfed home in the Preserve at Harveston neighborhood around 7:30 a.m. on December 15, 2025. Once the fire was extinguished, arson investigators entered the property and reported detecting a faint odor resembling an ignitable liquid, such as acetone or paint thinner, prompting a deeper inquiry into the cause of the blaze.
Arrest warrants state that the investigation revealed the homeowner had arranged a meeting with one of the suspects via the dating app Grindr. The victim told officials that two men, who identified themselves as “Rico” and “Tae,” arrived at his home on the evening of December 14. The homeowner alleged that during the encounter, the suspects forced him to consume pills and smoke a substance, which he believes caused him to lose consciousness.
The victim reported waking up in his bathtub alongside his cat, observing the suspects pouring paint thinner throughout the residence. According to investigators, the men allegedly placed a pillow on a couch and ignited it before exiting the home. The homeowner managed to escape the burning structure and hide under a truck in the garage until he was rescued by a neighbor. Investigators later confirmed finding a deceased cat in the bathroom, corroborating the victim’s account, along with narcotics including ecstasy and marijuana within the home.
Surveillance footage reviewed by law enforcement captured a Toyota Camry arriving at the residence at 9:53 p.m. on December 14 and departing at 7:15 a.m. the following morning. Authorities allege the suspects sat in the vehicle watching the home as smoke began to appear around 7:25 a.m., remaining on the scene until fire crews arrived. Police traced the vehicle’s registration to Lerico Walker. Both suspects are currently being held on charges of attempted first-degree murder, arson, and aggravated cruelty to animals.
Investigative Outlook
The swift apprehension of the suspects highlights the critical role of digital surveillance and forensic arson analysis in modern criminal investigations. By correlating physical evidence of accelerants with timeline data from security cameras, authorities were able to elevate a fire incident to a major criminal case involving attempted capital offenses. As the case moves to the judicial phase, prosecutors will likely focus on the premeditated nature of the alleged acts, particularly the use of chemical restraints and accelerants. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
