KINGMAN — A Lake Havasu City church arson incident designed to facilitate a “suicide by cop” scenario has resulted in a probation guaranteed plea agreement, sparing the defendant a possible prison sentence. Keith Gensamer, 49, New Mexico pleaded guilty to an arson of property charge during a Jan. 21 hearing in Kingman.
Gensamer was arrested some 13 hours after fleeing the fire he set in the early morning of Nov. 30, 2005 at the Calvary Baptist Church Smoketree Avenue campus.
A police report indicated that Gensamer told officers that he broke into the church and set it on fire to provoke a police response that would produce his death, but that he fled instead, when he became frightened.
“investigation confirmed that Gensamer forced entry into the building and poured gasoline throughout a portion of the interior before igniting it,” police sergeant Kyle Ridgway said in a news release issued after the suspect’s arrest. “The incident does not appear to have been a targeted attack on the specific church or group of religious faith.”
Deputy Mohave County attorney Eric Nolan told Mohave County Superior Court judge Derek Carlisle an altar, electronics room and other parts of the church interior were damaged by flames. He said the building had been remodeled and that damage was estimated at $80,000.
Gensamer faces probation and up to a year in jail if the Court enters and accepts the proposed plea deal at a Feb. 20 hearing.
