A man who police say choked his girlfriend and then set her bed on fire was arrested early Friday morning for investigation of aggravated arson, domestic violence battery and criminal mischief.
Police say Kent Gathwright, 26, got into an argument with his girlfriend just after 1 a.m. at her apartment near 700 South and 300 East and began choking her, said Salt Lake police spokeswoman Lara Jones.
After she pushed him away, Gathwright poured rubbing alcohol on her bed and set it on fire, Jones said. The girlfriend tried to put the flames out, but he stopped her by choking her again, Jones said.
After she broke free a second time, Gathwright ran out the door, and the girlfriend was able to quickly douse the flames.
The girlfriend called police, who arrived just as Gathwright returned. He was taken into custody without further incident.
— Pat Reavy