Man charged with murder after stabbing, lighting girlfriend on fire in Rowan County

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — James Joseph Gunnerson, 48, is now being charged with murder after stabbing his girlfriend and then lighting her on fire in her home, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Just before 1 a.m. on Friday, May 10, deputies responded to a possible arson at 1220 Chez Charolais Road. Communications also told deputies about a possible stabbing at the location.

When they arrived, they saw a single-wide mobile home that was on fire, officials said.

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Detectives believe the victim, Tamra Marie Clemans, was at her residence with her boyfriend, Gunnerson, when he stabbed her with a knife after an argument.

After stabbing Clemans, Gunnerson doused her and the home with motor fuel and lit it on fire. Officials say Clemans was able to escape to a neighbor’s house for help.

When fire crews responded, they were confronted by Gunnerson who was hiding in the backyard with a knife. Deputies tased him multiple times to take him into custody.

Clemans was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. Queen City News has reached out to the sheriff’s office for an update on her status.

Gunnerson also had burn-related injuries which required treatment. After being released from the hospital, he was booked into the Forsyth County Detention Center without bond for first-degree arson and attempted first-degree murder, which has since been upgraded to first-degree murder.

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