Cops: Atlanta man confessed to killing 2, lighting their Florida home ablaze

James Kenneth Porteous

Credit: Lake County, Fla., Sheriff's Office

Credit: Lake County, Fla., Sheriff's Office

James Kenneth Porteous

An Atlanta man confessed to a double homicide in Florida on Tuesday morning, authorities told multiple news outlets.

James Kenneth Porteous, 57, faces two counts of first-degree murder after the premeditated crime at a house near Leesburg, Fla., the Orlando Sentinel reported.

The Lake County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office told the newspaper that Porteous shot and killed two victims, whose identities and ages have not been released. Their bodies were found Tuesday morning after the East Dale Street house had been lit ablaze.

The sheriff’s office said it received two 911 calls about 9 a.m. that day related to the incident. A female caller said “I have been shot,” according to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Sentinel. The other caller reported that the home was on fire.

A neighbor told deputies that he heard gunshots and saw Porteous standing inside the house’s carport, the newspaper reported. The neighbor said Porteous told him he had just shot two people inside the home before setting it on fire.

The suspect was found at the scene when deputies arrived, and he cooperated with detectives, the sheriff’s office said. Porteous also admitted to deputies that he committed the shooting, according to the affidavit.

Blood was found on his hands, which Porteous said was from breaking a window, the Sentinel reported. He also said, “I hope the blood on my shirt isn’t (hers),” according to the affidavit.

In addition, a pistol and two magazines were found in a recliner inside the carport, deputies said.

The affidavit said deputies believed Porteous had previously lived with the victims as family, the Sentinel reported. His address was listed as northeast Atlanta in local jail records.

He remains in the county’s jail without bond.

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Credit: AJC