Denver arsonist gets 60 years for killing 5 for mistaken iPhone theft
Kevin Bui, 20, will serve 60 years in prison for setting a fatal fire that killed five family members in Denver in 2020. Bui pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in a plea deal with prosecutors. This resulted in the dismissal of 60 additional charges against him.
The fire was set on August 5, 2020. It claimed the lives of Djibril “Jibby” Diol, his wife Adja, their 21-month-old daughter Khadija, Diol’s sister Hassan, and her 6-month-old daughter Hawa Beye. Bui and his accomplices, Gavin Seymour and Dillon Siebert, mistakenly believed an iPhone stolen from one of them was inside the family’s home. As a result, they tracked the phone using the “Find My iPhone” app and targeted the residence.
Bui, Seymour, and Siebert bought hockey masks and gasoline before breaking into the house on North Truckee Street in Green Valley Ranch. They doused the interior with gasoline and set it on fire. Thus, leading to a blaze that engulfed the home. Three survivors managed to escape by jumping from a second-story window.
Investigators used cell phone data and surveillance footage to place the trio at the scene. The masks worn during the crime were also purchased at a local store, captured on surveillance cameras. As a result, the teens were identified.
Seymour, 16 at the time, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. Meanwhile, Siebert, 14 at the time, received three years in juvenile detention and an additional seven years in state prison.
Bui showed little emotion during the court proceedings, providing terse responses to Judge Karen Brody. The victims’ family members chose to view the hearing via livestream.
Bui is set to be formally sentenced on June 2.
Source: Law and Crime
