A shocking incident at a sober living home in the greater Seattle area has left the community shaken and raised serious concerns about safety and mental health support in shared housing spaces. A 29-year-old man is now facing multiple serious charges after allegedly attacking his housemates and setting a fire intended to trap people inside the building.
Man Accused of Stabbing Housemates at Sober Living Home
Andrew Cole Keen, 29, has been charged with three counts of second-degree attempted murder and one count of first-degree arson.
The incident took place at a registered sober living home located on the 4000 block of South 34th Street in Tacoma, Washington. According to reports, Keen had moved into the home just three days before the violent attack.
Police say Keen pleaded not guilty in court and is currently being held on $1 million bail. Several residents were living in the house at the time, many of whom were trying to rebuild their lives in a safe and supportive environment.
Early Morning Attack Leaves Residents Terrified
The incident happened just before dawn, around 4 a.m. One of the residents woke up to shouting inside the house and soon realised that something was terribly wrong. Court documents say the resident heard another housemate yelling to 911 that he had been stabbed and that the house was on fire.
When the witness ran downstairs, he saw flames rising near the living room bunk beds, stretching from the floor all the way to the ceiling. Panic quickly spread through the home as residents tried to escape.
According to those inside the house, it became clear very quickly that the incident involved Keen. One resident reportedly escaped through an upstairs window. Another victim who had called 911 was described as being “fully on fire” when he managed to get out.
Mental Health Concerns and Disturbing Behaviour
Court documents suggest Keen’s mental health had declined in the days leading up to the attack. Reports say he had stopped taking a prescribed medication after moving into the home. During this time, he allegedly accused another resident of stealing “something intangible” from him, such as emotions or thoughts.
These statements worried other residents, but no one expected the situation to turn violent so quickly.
Adding to the concern, Keen’s father reportedly contacted authorities from outside Washington state after receiving alarming text messages and social media posts from his son. In these messages, Keen allegedly said he was “going to jail tonight because he was going to kill some people.”
Fire Allegedly Set to Trap Residents Upstairs
Investigators believe the fire was not accidental. Authorities say Keen lit multiple mattresses and a pile of clothes at the bottom of the staircase. This positioning made it harder for people upstairs to escape, suggesting the fire was intentionally set to trap residents inside the home.
A victim later told reporters that he saw one man come out of the house while still on fire and badly burned. The description highlights just how dangerous and traumatic the incident was for everyone involved.
Arrest Near Scene and Evidence Found
After emergency services responded to the scene, police later found Keen at a nearby 7-Eleven store. Officers reported that he had matches and a lighter in his possession, along with a cut on his hand. When asked about the fire, he allegedly smiled instead of answering clearly. He was then taken into custody.
Three men were transported to the hospital following the incident. One victim suffered severe injuries and was listed in critical condition, while the others were treated for serious but less life-threatening harm.
