Surveillance footage of gas purchase leads to arson, double homicide arrest

PHOENIX (TND) — A woman who was arrested in connection to an arson and two murders was seen in surveillance footage showing "a very small amount of gas" being purchased at gas station.

Katisha Susan Smith, 44 was arrested last week for her involvement in the April 27 arson at a Phoenix building that killed two people.

Sheriff's investigators found a deceased person inside J&J Sofa Manufacturing while processing the scene after the fire was extinguished, according to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators pointed out that video surveillance captured at a nearby business showed a person throwing an incinerator device from an SUV towards the business before the fire.

A homicide investigation was launched at that point, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies noted that a second deceased person was found during the investigation at the scene.

The identities of the deceased are not known at this time. A medical examiner reportedly classified both deaths as homicide.

Detectives were able to get a hold of more incriminating evidence against Smith. A separate surveillance camera recorded the same SUV seen at the business at a nearby gas station, according to sheriff's officials.

The footage showed a "very small amount of gas" being purchased.

Sheriff's investigators identified Smith as a suspect from the footage.

Smith was booked into jail for one count of arson, first-degree murder and drug charges.

A second suspect was also involved in the alleged crime.

Court documents obtained by a local media outlet allege that Smith was not alone.

Video shows two individuals getting out of an SUV at the business, according to KTVK. The video reportedly showed a passenger hand, a "heavy-set" driver and an unidentified object. Something the man is holding is then set ablaze, then thrown toward the business, before both individuals get back into the SUV and leave the scene, per the outlet.

The second person allegedly tied to the deadly fire hasn't been identified.

Smith reportedly said she was "forced" to help set the fire during.

Editor's Note: WKRC contributed to this report.