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Hampton arson also scene of November murder investigation

Posted at 12:02 AM, Jan 05, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-05 00:02:46-05

One tragedy after another.

"It's sad,” says Fred Lawson, who lives across the street.” It's a sad tragedy."

This house on Mason Street in Hampton has seen its fair share of crime tape in the past few months.

A fire started here early this morning. Investigators ruled it arson.

“It’s very scary,” says Katie Gardner, who lives next door. “I was very concerned that it was going to spread over to our roof. The flames were coming up several feet out of the roof. "

In late November, there was the scene outside the same home as police investigated the murder of 29-year old Lakeia Griffin, who was gunned down inside her car. She died at the hospital.

"You know it was such a tragedy that just happened to the young lady that stayed there.  You know I don't understand this,” Lawson says. “It's just hard to believe here."

31-year-old Traer Ramon Tisdale is charged with Griffin's murder. Neighbors say Griffin's family has already dealt with too much. They say Griffin had five children.

"I felt so bad for the kids when their mom was killed here and now to have this on top of it, their grandma having to deal with this, it's very sad,” Gardner says.

Crime Line and the Virginia International Association of Arson Investigators are offering a combined $6,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

"Money makes people talk so hopefully they'll get some information from somebody and find out who did this,” Lawson says.