HomeMy WebLinkAboutLeibman Press ReleaseFrom: David A Leibman <dleibman@rentonwa.gov>
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Date: 2020-11-26 07:55
Subject: Renton Homeless Shelter Arson
Attachments: 11-25-2020 Homeless Shelter Arson.pdf
Please see the attached media release regarding a homeless shelter arson in Renton yesterday.
Commander David Leibman
Public Information Officer
Renton Police Department Investigations Division
1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
(425) 430-7573
11/26/20
One Person Arrested for Homeless Shelter Arson
Shelter Resident Put Other Residents in Danger
Renton, WA – A forty six year old man is under arrest after intentionally setting fire to his room at a
Renton homeless shelter.
On November 25 at around 11:45 AM, officers were dispatched to the Red Lion Inn and Suites at 1
South Grady Way to assist with evacuations for a fire on the 6th floor. The hotel is currently used to
house about 200 homeless people, some who have physical and mental disabilities, making evacuation
difficult.
As officers made their way into the hotel, a witness pointed out a man standing outside the building and
said he was the one who set the fire. The man was detained for questioning.
Investigators learned that the suspect, who lived at the shelter for about 3 weeks, became upset with
staff members and told them, “I’m going to burn this place down.” The man locked himself in his room
and staff members called a locksmith for assistance. The locksmith and staff members approached the
room and encountered thick smoke on the 6th floor. They found the suspect standing in the doorway
of his room. The locksmith tried to enter the room with a fire extinguisher but was held back by the
heat and smoke.
The suspect eventually walked out of his room and made his way outside, where he was arrested by
Renton officers.
A preliminary arson investigation indicated the fire started on a couch and the fire was contained to the
single room. There was extensive smoke and fire damage to the 5th and 6th floors of the building.
A fire department official told officers that the fire placed multiple lives in danger.
The suspect was booked into the King County Regional Justice Center for investigation of first degree
arson.
For details about the fire, please contact the Renton Regional Fire Authority.
Detective
Montemator
Case 17-15321
City of Renton Police Department
For Immediate Release
CITY OF RENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Commander D. Leibman
Public Information Officer
425-430-7573
Detective Montemayor
Case 20-12319
425-430-7528
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Renton Police Department
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057 www.rentonwa.gov/police