Man charged after stabbing and lighting girlfriend on fire in Rowan County: Sheriff
ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A man has been charged after stabbing his girlfriend and then lighting her on fire in her home, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.
Just before 1 a.m. on Friday, May 10, deputies responded to a possible arson at 1220 Chez Charolais Road. Communications also told deputies about a possible stabbing at the location.
When they arrived, they saw a single-wide mobile home that was on fire, officials said.
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Detectives believe the victim, Tamra Marie Clemans, was at her residence with her boyfriend, 48-year-old James Joseph Gunnerson, when he stabbed her with a knife after an argument.
After stabbing Clemans, Gunnerson doused her and the home with motor field and lit it on fire. Officials say Clemans was able to escape to a neighbor’s house for help.
When fire crews responded, they were confronted by Gunnerson who was hiding in the backyard with a knife. Deputies tased him multiple times to take him into custody.
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Clemans was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. Authorities say she’s still there in critical condition.
Gunnerson also had burn-related injuries which required treatment. After being released from the hospital, he was booked into the Forsyth County Detention Center without bond for first-degree arson and attempted first-degree murder.
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