03/18/2026
𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 | 𝘈𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘴
March 18, 2026
This morning at about 6:53 AM, the Johnson City police and fire departments were dispatched to an address on Pleasant Ave for a house fire. Responding units discovered that the second floor of the vacant residence was on fire, and the fire department began their operations.
A JCPD 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 Parker to talk to 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 JCPD. 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.
Once back at the JCPD, 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 JCPD, Parker began exhibiting signs of smoke inhalation. Union Volunteer Emergency Squad responded and transported Parker to UHS Wilson Hospital for treatment. Parker remains in JCPD custody and will be arraigned on the following charges:
▪️Criminal Possession of a weapon in the second degree – a class C Felony (3 counts)
▪️Arson in the fourth degree, a class E Felony
Arrestee:
Lee Parker, 67 years old of Johnson City, NY