Race Bias Called Possible Motive in Deadly Arson

Racial bias triggered by a landlord-tenant dispute may have touched off a murderous rampage in Harlem by a screaming, gun-wielding black man, New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton said Saturday.

The man, who had been involved in protests against a white-owned clothing store, set a fire Friday that left eight people dead. He was one of those found dead in the burned-out store, with a gunshot wound to his stomach that appeared to be self-inflicted, police said.

The seven other victims died of smoke inhalation. The gunman also shot and wounded four people.

Bratton said at a news conference that the man’s motive had been deemed “possibly bias related” because of his remarks and some of his actions.

Bratton said the suspect allowed only the blacks in the store to leave before he set the fire, and all of those shot were white.

Freddy’s Clothing Store had been the site of recent demonstrations by blacks because the owners planned to evict the black-run record shop next door when its lease ended this month so Freddy’s could expand.