SAN ANTONIO ā Emond Johnson admitted to setting a fire in May that left one firefighter dead and two others injured. His boss said he felt betrayed after hearing the news.
Johnson didnāt talk in detail about the fire that destroyed The Spartan Box gym in the Ingram Square shopping center, his boss said.
AJ Mora, with Crossfit Born Ready in Helotes, said he reached out to Johnson after the May fire to pay back the kindness others had shown him when his own gym was destroyed in a fire just months before.
READ MORE:Ā Arrest made in death of firefighter Scott Deem
āWe reached out to him via phone call, email, saying we went through it. If thereās something we can do to help, weād love to assist them,ā he said. āWe housed them for three months. In August, they made the decision they wouldnāt open.ā
Mora hired Johnson as a coach and said he didnāt see any clues that he had anything to do with the fire.
RELATED:Ā What we know so far about Scott Deem murder suspect Emond Johnson
After hearing the news of Johnsonās arrest Wednesday, Mora said he felt betrayed.
āItās where the rage comes in. 'How would we have known?' I tell myself. Once I found out, (I was) kicking myself in the face,ā Mora said. āThere was no signs to signal of him doing that.ā
Mora said the weightlifting community is like family and they are all pretty upset and shocked.
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
Images show aftermath at Ingram Square 1 month after fatal fire
In the wake of Scott Deem tragedy, Fire Station 35 gives thanks to San Antonio
SAFD Chief Hood: 'We had our worst day'
