Denver, Colorado – A teenager, Kevin Bui, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in connection to a deadly arson that claimed the lives of a Senegalese family of five in Denver’s Green Valley Ranch neighborhood. Bui is the last of three teenagers involved in the tragic incident, with the other counts against him being dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
The arson incident occurred on August 5, 2020, resulting in the deaths of Djibril Diol, his wife Adja, their 2-year-old daughter, along with Hassan Diol and her infant daughter Hawa Beye. The family were Senegalese immigrants, with three other individuals managing to escape the fire by jumping from windows.
During an interview with law enforcement, Bui confessed to the crime, revealing that the targeted house was chosen because he believed his stolen phone was located there. However, the residents of the Truckee Street address were not connected to the theft of his phone, leading to the tragic consequences of the arson.
The two other teenagers involved in the deadly arson, Gavin Seymour and Dillon Siebert, have also pleaded guilty. Seymour received a 40-year prison sentence in March, while Siebert, who was 14 at the time of the fire, was sentenced to 7 years in February 2023. Siebert may face additional charges in juvenile court.
Bui is scheduled to be sentenced to up to 60 years in the Department of Corrections on July 2 for his role in the arson that claimed the lives of the Senegalese family of five. The devastating incident highlighted the tragic consequences of arson and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.