LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A homeless man accused of murder and arson after allegedly setting fire to a tent with another homeless man inside last weekend was in court Tuesday.Â
Police arrested 48-year-old Christopher Shuffett on Nov. 26. Officials with Louisville Fire and Rescue say the fire was intentionally set on Saturday in a homeless camp in the 1200 block of Lexington Road, near Baxter Avenue.
According to arrest documents, Shuffett had warned others he wanted to kill someone and burn a tent. Police say he set the fire knowing the man was inside the tent.Â
The victim died in the fire. On Tuesday afternoon, the Jefferson County Coroner's Office identified that man as 55-year-old Jeffery Quick.
Shuffett is also homeless, according to the arrest citation. Police say Shuffett set had made threats beforehand about killing someone and burning a tent.
According to the arrest report, Shuffett stated to one witness that he "will burn this m*****f***** down too."
Those who know Shuffett say he is usually friendly, but recently his mental health seemed to be declining.Â
"He called me his little sister, and I called him my big brother," said a homeless woman who wanted to remain anonymous. "He is not all up there in his head, sadly. It hurt my heart for sure. Somebody that I call my brother gets arrested for something like that, of course, yeah, it hurt."
Shuffett pleaded not guilty to murder and first-degree arson.
The judge set Shuffett's bond at $100,000. He is due back in court on Dec. 7.Â
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