Timothy Kuhn: Arrest made in 2004 Molotov cocktail attack that claimed life of 8-year-old Savannah Streber

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK: Timothy Kuhn, 63, has been arrested in connection with the harrowing 2004 Molotov cocktail attack that claimed the life of 8-year-old Savannah Streber.

The devastating incident occurred on February 28, 2004, when an unidentified assailant hurled a Molotov cocktail into a Rochester, home, setting off a catastrophic fire that resulted in the tragic death of young Savannah.

Timeline of Savannah Streber's tragic death

Details of the tragic night reveal that Savannah was sleeping on her mother's bed at their residence on Yates Street.

Alongside her were her younger sister, Alex, the babysitter, and the babysitter’s son. Police reports indicate that the Molotov cocktail was thrown from the back porch area, creating a sudden and intense blaze, NBC reports.

According to accounts from the sitter’s son, the home quickly became engulfed in smoke and flames as his mother was attending to household chores. The babysitter, Shonda Whitaker, bravely attempted to re-enter the burning building to save Savannah, suffering severe burns in the process.

Lone Savannah Streber was searching for her mother amidst inferno

Rochester Police Sgt David Joseph recounted the tragic events, stating that everyone managed to escape the inferno, except for Savannah. 

“It’s just really heartbreaking,” said Joseph, adding the 8-year-old was looking for her mother. “But her mother wasn’t there. It’s just a really horrific way for an eight-year-old girl to die.”

Savannah’s older half-sister, Kelly, mourned, “Everything was stolen from her and from us. We missed out on her growing up, her birthdays, her Sweet 16, prom, her graduation, her wedding and having children of her own. We missed it all.”

After almost 20 years justice served in Savannah Streber's killing

Nevertheless, after years of investigation and a person of interest on the radar, a breakthrough finally occurred just a month shy of the 20th anniversary of the incident.

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, working in collaboration with Rochester police detectives and US Marshals officials, successfully apprehended Timothy and placed him in custody for extradition back to New York. Expressing her gratitude for the development, Savannah’s mother, Lisa Routier, conveyed, "We are very thankful to everyone that made this happen."