Crime
Chamel Abdulkarim filmed himself starting a massive fire at Kimberly-Clark warehouse in Ontario
Chamel Abdulkarim, of Highland, has been charged with two felony counts of arson
ONTARIO, Calif. — Authorities have arrested a 29-year-old warehouse employee in connection with a massive six-alarm fire that destroyed a large distribution facility in San Bernardino County early Tuesday morning.
According to officials and sources familiar with the investigation, Chamel Abdulkarim, of Highland, has been charged with two felony counts of arson in relation to the blaze at a warehouse operated by consumer goods company Kimberly-Clark.
He is currently being held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
Investigators allege that Abdulkarim intentionally set the fire at approximately 12:30 a.m. at the nearly 1.2 million-square-foot facility located near South Hellman Avenue and Merrill Avenue.
The fire rapidly spread throughout the structure, fueled in part by large quantities of paper-based products stored inside.
Authorities reported that approximately 20 employees were inside the warehouse at the time the fire broke out, including Abdulkarim.
He was initially unaccounted for during the early stages of the incident but was later located.
Court records indicate he was ultimately taken into custody near the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Limonite Avenue in Eastvale, not far from the fire scene.
Ontario Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Wedell stated that the fire was quickly deemed suspicious, and investigators identified a person of interest early in the response.
“This fire was very quickly identified as suspicious in nature,” Wedell said. “There was a subject of interest identified very early on in the incident. That subject has been arrested.”
Sources indicate Abdulkarim may have been a disgruntled employee and had posted complaints about his job on social media prior to the incident.
However, investigators are continuing to examine the full motive and circumstances surrounding the case.
The fire prompted a large-scale emergency response, with approximately 140 firefighters working to contain the blaze throughout the day.
Due to the size and intensity of the fire, multiple agencies—including the San Bernardino County Fire Department, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, Chino Fire Department, and Riverside Fire Department—assisted in suppression efforts.
Officials estimate the destroyed facility to be valued at approximately $156 million. Despite the scale of the fire, no injuries have been reported.
Kimberly-Clark, a global hygiene products manufacturer known for brands such as Huggies and Kleenex, confirmed that the facility was operated by a third-party partner.
In a statement, a company spokesperson emphasized that safety remains a top priority and said the company is cooperating fully with local authorities as the investigation continues.
The Ontario Police Department and Ontario Fire Department are jointly leading the investigation.
Additional details are expected to be released following an official press briefing.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. — A 23-year-old man from Riverton has died following a shooting at a rural property in Cherokee County, Kansas, and his 19-year-old brother has been booked into jail on a second-degree murder allegation, according to information released by authorities.
The victim was identified as Gannon Reece, 23, of Riverton, Kansas. The suspect was identified as Joshua Wilson, 19, also of Riverton, who is the victim’s brother.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder. Formal charges are expected to be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said the Cherokee County Emergency Communication Center received a 911 call on October 23, 2026, reporting that a person had been shot at 4971 SE 67th, in a rural area of Cherokee County.
Deputies were dispatched to the location to investigate the reported shooting.
When deputies arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services personnel examined the victim and determined that he had died.
The suspect, who authorities later identified as Joshua Wilson, was still at the scene when deputies arrived. Officers immediately detained him as the investigation began.
Authorities subsequently identified the deceased man as Gannon Reece and confirmed that Wilson was his younger brother.
Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail in connection with Reece’s death on suspicion of second-degree murder.
According to the information provided by authorities, formal charges will be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office. The available information does not specify whether prosecutors have formally filed the charges in court or whether Wilson has appeared before a judge.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the circumstances that led to the shooting.
No details have been released about what preceded the incident, whether an argument occurred, or what may have motivated the shooting. Authorities have not provided information about a possible firearm recovery or any other evidence beyond the initial circumstances described in the report.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Investigators are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding Reece’s death and gather evidence relevant to the case.
Authorities have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Officials also announced a temporary road closure affecting SE Lostine between Highway 69A and SE 60th.
Motorists were advised to use alternate routes until further notice while the closure remained in effect. The information provided did not specify when the roadway would reopen.
Drivers traveling through the area were encouraged to follow local traffic instructions and allow additional time for their journeys.
The fatal shooting has resulted in the death of a young Riverton resident and the arrest of his 19-year-old brother.
While authorities have identified both men and disclosed the booking allegation, several details remain unknown, including the events leading up to the shooting and the formal status of the prosecution.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Cherokee County Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate.
Joshua Wilson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.