CHEATHAM, COUNTY, Tenn. – Two suspects accused of tying up a man and setting his house on fire in Ashland City have been arrested.
Firefighters responded to the house fire on Beech Grove Rd., northwest of Downtown Ashland City, around 4:30 a.m. Monday.
One person was inside the home when the fire occurred and was treated for minor injuries on the scene. Medics took the man to a local hospital for evaluation.
Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set, and as a result of the investigation arrested two suspects: Christopher Duncan and Timothy Shoffner. Both men are Clarksville residents.
Cheatham County Sheriff Mike Breedlove said the suspects broke into the man’s home on Beech Grove Rd. while he was sleeping.
The victim woke up to the suspects standing over his bed and said they were armed.
He said the suspects led him down to the basement where they restrained him with duct tape, then went back upstairs to search through his belongings.
By the time the suspects returned to the basement, the victim said the fire had already been started.
As they were leaving, one suspect fired two shots at the man’s head, but missed.
After they exited, the victim said he was able to free himself and went upstairs into the fire to avoid encountering the suspects. He made it out of the house with minor injuries. The house is considered a total loss.
Duncan and Shoffner were found in Clarksville and charged with especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, arson, attempted first degree murder, and theft. They were booked into the Cheatham County Jail on a $1 million bond each.
Investigators are still looking into the possibility of a female suspect, who the victim said was also present during the alleged crimes. Anyone with information can contact the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office at 615-792-2021.