This is a developing story.
11:20 a.m. Saturday, August 23: Chapel Hill officials have confirmed that Randy Bullock was an employee at the Siena Hotel. Bullock was also a well-known figure in Chapel Hill’s local music scene in the 1990s: he served as program director at WXYC radio and co-operated the local music label Jesus Christ Records.
2:26 p.m.: Chapel Hill Police have reopened the section of East Franklin Street between the Dunkin’ Donuts and the intersection with Estes Drive. The street had been closed due to the police presence at the Siena Hotel.
1:30 p.m.: The Chapel Hill Police Department shared an update after a fire was reported at the Siena Hotel Friday morning and a man was reportedly barricaded inside. Police clarified the barricaded man was not a suspect connected to the fires, and that he was actually in need of assistance. He was eventually evacuated.
Police say they discovered a separate, deceased male inside the hotel, which has more than 80 rooms, shortly after 12 p.m. on the third floor of the building. The male, later identified as 60-year-old Randall Moore Bullock, is believed to have set the fires inside the hotel. It is unknown whether Bullock had any previous connection to the hotel, and no motive has been identified. Police say there is no longer a threat.
“This is a sad day for us, and we extend empathy to all families and guests and community members that were affiliated or involved,” said police chief Celisa Lehew.
No other injuries were reported, though police said there was “extensive” damage to the interior of the hotel.
Lehew also said police are in conversation with guests and staff as they continue to investigate the crime scene. Guests previously staying at the hotel will not be allowed back in for at least the remainder of the day.
“There’s a lot of work yet to be done in terms of putting the puzzle pieces together as to exactly what happened,” Lehew said.
6:02 a.m.: Chapel Hill Police officers shut down East Franklin Street between Estes Drive and the Dunkin Donuts location as their crisis unit communicates with an individual who has barricaded themselves inside the Siena Hotel.
The incident began around 4:30 a.m. Friday, when the Chapel Hill Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire. Officials reported seeing smoke, with the fire now being investigated as an arson, according to Chapel Hill Police Chief Celisa Lehew.
“We do believe that the person responsible for the fire is still within the building,” Chief Lehew told reporters this morning, “and we are working in active investigation to make contact so that we can safely enter and make sure that he is safely found.”
The hotel was evacuated after the initial 911 call of a fire and there are no reported injuries, but Chapel Hill Police are asking everyone to continue avoiding East Franklin Street between Estes Drive and Elliott Road until the situation is resolved.
Here is the full statement from Chapel Hill Police:
E. Franklin Street is closed between Estes Drive and Elliott Road as the Chapel Hill Police Department, and its Crisis Unit, are communicating with someone who is barricaded inside the Siena Hotel at 1505 E. Franklin Street. We’re asking our community to avoid this area.
At around 4:30am, the Chapel Hill Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at the hotel. The building was evacuated and there are no reports of injuries at this time. Firefighters will resume firefighting efforts when it is safe to do so.
We’ll share updates as they are available.
Featured photo via Chapel Hill Media Group/Henry Taylor
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