Teen suspected in Needville High School fire turns himself in

(5/08/07 - KTRK/NEEDVILLE, TX) (KTRK) -- The teenager suspected of sparking a fire at Needville High School and causing a lot of inconvenience for his classmates surrendered himself to authorities today.

Just hours after the fire, rumors in Needville began circulating that it may have been set by somebody upset about the TAKS test. While arson hadn't even been determined yet, it is now, though authorities do not believe the TAKS was a motive.

Police have centered their efforts on the 16-year-old teen, who spent several hours yesterday speaking with investigators. He turned himself in to authorities around 10:30am today.

His family has retained the services of attorney Steve 'Rocket' Rosen, who would not comment on why the boy started the fire, only saying he'd been undergoing mental health issues.

"We're talking about 16-year-old boys in high school, fighting peer pressure, fighting sports, fighting grades, fighting mothers and fathers," said Rosen. "Nothing that's unusual, but taken to heart more so than maybe the next young man."

The boy is a sophomore at Needville High School. Needville is a small town, so a lot of people do know him. Because of his age, we are protecting his face and name, but the Fort Bend County fire marshal's office has said they expect other teens to be implicated in this investigation. But we want to stress -- no one has yet been charged in this case.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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