A 24-year-old man from Somers Point, New Jersey, who set fire to the home of a family that once considered him a trusted friend, has been sentenced to three years in state prison. The incident, which took place in March 2022, could have ended in tragedy but the sleeping family of three managed to escape just in time.
Deshaun Howard pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated arson earlier this year. His sentencing was carried out under the No Early Release Act (NERA), which requires violent offenders to serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole. That means Howard will serve nearly two years and seven months before he can even be considered for early release.
The Night of the Fire
The fire occurred during the early morning hours while the victims—a mother, father, and their daughter—were asleep. According to court documents and investigative reports, they were awakened by the smell of smoke and managed to escape unharmed. The home, located in Somers Point, suffered significant fire and smoke damage.
Authorities later discovered that Howard had intentionally set the fire. What made the crime especially disturbing was the relationship between Howard and the victims. The family had welcomed him into their lives, and he had spent considerable time in their home over the years. One of the family’s daughters had even considered Howard a close friend.
“He knew where we slept. He knew where we lived. He was trusted,” said the mother in a victim impact statement during the sentencing. “We were betrayed in the worst possible way.”
Mental Health and Motive
During court proceedings, Howard’s defense attorney revealed that his client was suffering from paranoid delusions at the time of the incident. He has since been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is now receiving treatment and medication.
Howard reportedly believed the family had turned against him, a thought rooted in his psychotic episode. His attorney stressed that his actions were not driven by malice but by a serious mental health condition that had gone untreated for too long.
Despite the diagnosis, the court ruled that the nature of the crime—particularly the risk posed to the sleeping family—warranted a prison sentence. After his release, Howard will remain under parole supervision for three years.
Co-Conspirator Also Charged
Another individual, identified as Faith Tompkins, has been charged in connection with the case. Her charges are still pending, and she has not yet entered a plea. According to investigators, Tompkins may have assisted or encouraged Howard in planning or executing the arson. More details are expected as her case proceeds through the legal system.
Community Reaction
The incident shocked the tight-knit Somers Point community. Local residents expressed disbelief that someone so close to the victims could commit such a violent act.
“Everyone knew him. He was always around that family,” one neighbor told local news outlet BreakingAC. “It’s terrifying to think how easily this could’ve turned into a triple homicide.”
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office led the investigation, working closely with local law enforcement and the state fire marshal’s office. Evidence collected at the scene and witness statements pointed clearly to Howard’s involvement, according to the prosecutor’s statement.
Sentencing and Aftermath
At the sentencing hearing held in Atlantic County Superior Court, the judge acknowledged Howard’s mental illness but emphasized the seriousness of the offense.
“Your diagnosis explains your actions, but it does not excuse them,” the judge said, according to courtroom reports.
Howard addressed the court briefly, expressing remorse for his actions and stating that he is committed to continuing treatment.
“I wasn’t in my right mind. I thought people were after me,” he said. “I never meant to hurt anyone.”
Following the sentencing, the victims said they were relieved the legal process had come to a close but still live in fear.
“I wake up every night thinking about what could’ve happened,” said the father of the family. “We’re just grateful to be alive.”
Resources and Legal Information
For more information on how New Jersey handles arson and criminal sentencing under the No Early Release Act, you can visit the following official websites:
This case serves as a stark reminder of how untreated mental illness can spiral into dangerous and even life-threatening behavior—and how trust can be shattered in a single night. As the community continues to process the trauma, the legal system moves forward, now focusing on the pending charges against Howard’s alleged accomplice.