Bar 5015 fire: FBI arrests wanted suspect in 2020 arson case

HOUSTON – The final suspect charged in the 2020 Bar 5015 explosion has been arrested on Tuesday morning, according to FBI Houston.

Miziah Brice Shepherd was taken into federal custody and is expected to make his first federal court appearance at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Shepherd’s identity was released on May 7 after FBI agents began searching for him, offering a $3,000 reward on where he was located.

A three-count indictment, filed April 8 in the Southern District of Texas, alleges that former co-owner of the Turkey Leg Hut, Lyndell “Lynn” Price, Miziah Brice Shepherd, Armani Williams, 27, and John Lee Price, 39, conspired to set fire to Bar 5015 in June 2020.

TIMELINE: The legal saga and controversies of Turkey Leg Hut in Houston

Shepherd was the final wanted suspect in the case. Everyone has now been taken into custody, according to the FBI.

READ: Former owner of Turkey Leg Hut held pending trial due to ‘overwhelming evidence’

What happened

In early June 12, 2020, Lynn Price had allegedly recruited a group that included Williams, John Price, Shepherd, and another.

READ: Former owner of Turkey Leg Hut arrested after federal grand jury indictment for 2020 bar explosion

The charges allege Williams, John Price, and others were involved in pouring gasoline at the entrance ramp before igniting a fire at Bar 5015 on June 12, 2020. Lynn Price and his co-conspirator agreed to provide payment to the crew tasked with starting the fire, according to the indictment.

READ: Turkey Leg Hut closes after Houston Health Dept. finds several violations

Early that morning, William and an unnamed co-conspirator purchased gasoline, gas cans, and face coverings at a truck stop in Houston.

Williams then drove to and parked near the bar in a black Ford Fusion, according to the indictment. They entered the deck area and poured gasoline across the deck and down the entrance ramp.

Then, at 4:44 a.m., Williams and the unnamed co-conspirator lit a piece of paper and ignited the trail of gasoline. By 4:47 a.m., Lynn Price received a phone call to let him know the arson was complete.

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Lynn Price and the others are charged with conspiracy to commit arson and arson and face up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

RELATED: Nearby business feels aftershocks of explosion at bar in Houston’s Museum District Friday morning

Some buildings and homes near the scene sustained damage as well.

RELATED: Homes near the Museum District damaged by Bar 5015 building explosion

On June 18, 2020, surveillance video was released the public showing four men walking into Bar 5015 with five-gallon containers of ignitable fluid and pouring the fluid throughout the property.

READ: Video shows 4 men dousing Houston bar with fluid before massive explosion that caused $750K in damage

One of the men caused the explosion after pushing a trailer on fire down a ramp where fumes had accumulated, causing the deck to explode.