JOHNSON CITY, NY — A 67-year-old man faces arson and weapons charges after a fire at a vacant residence on Pleasant Avenue.
Johnson City police and fire departments were dispatched to the scene at approximately 6:53 a.m. on March 18, 2026.
Responding units discovered the second floor of the vacant residence was on fire, and the fire department began operations.
A Johnson City police officer observed a male subject, later identified as Lee Parker, walking from the area of the scene.
Parker returned to the area a short time later and the officer approached him.
While speaking with Parker, the officer observed a pistol in Parker’s coat pocket.
The officer secured the firearm, detained Parker and transported him to the Johnson City Police Department.
Parker does not possess a pistol permit.
The firearm in his possession was a loaded, unregistered 9mm handgun without a serial number, commonly referred to as a ghost gun.
Detectives interviewed Parker about the fire and any role he may have played in it.
Parker admitted that he had been squatting at the vacant residence and accidentally started the fire.
While at the police department, Parker began exhibiting signs of smoke inhalation.
Union Volunteer Emergency Squad responded and transported Parker to UHS Wilson Hospital for treatment.
Parker, of Johnson City, remains in police custody and will be arraigned on three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class C felony, and arson in the fourth degree, a class E felony.
