Rochester teens, 14 and 16, charged with murder of man lit on fire in chair at home

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) -- Officials from the Monroe County District Attorney’s office announced elevated charges for two teens arrested in a fatal arson case on Lyell Avenue.

Police say 53-year-old Steven Amenhauser was intentionally set on fire Friday, March 12, in his Lyell Avenue apartment. He was being treated at University of Rochester Medical Center’s Kessler Burn & Trauma Center, with second- and third-degree burns over 70 percent of his body, before he ultimately died from his injuries early Tuesday morning.

“[Amenhouser] came back from the store and entered his apartment and about five minutes after he entered his apartment he came out of it on fire,” Rochester Police Capt. Frank Umbrino said. “There were people who tried to help, render aid, and put out the fire. RPD and RFD responded and he was taken to the Burn Trauma Unit until he passed away at about four o’clock this morning.”

Rochester residents Zayvion Perry, 16, and Adriel Riley Jr., 14, were arrested and charged with arson and assault in connection to the incident. They are now charged with second-degree murder.

Umbrino said Amenhauser was a Texas native who had no living relatives. He was living alone in the apartment.

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports the teens are accused of lighting Amenhauser on fire after spraying him with an ignitable liquid as he sat on a chair inside his apartment around 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Umbrino said.

The two teens were apprehended at the scene of the fire. They both allegedly provided false names, according to the Democrat and Chronicle.

Umbrino confirmed that the individuals are not related and that the encounter was not a domestic violence incident. Umbrino also said it didn't involve drugs.