SPOKANE, WA – A 45-year-old man with a prior conviction for reckless burning has been arrested for allegedly starting a brush fire near Gateway Park along the Centennial Trail on June 21.
According to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 3:35 p.m. to assist Spokane Valley Fire Department crews at the scene of a brush fire, which firefighters had quickly brought under control. Witnesses reported seeing a man with a lighter about 100 yards west of the fire’s origin.
Deputies located the suspect, identified as Christopher S. Walser, sitting in dry brush holding a light blue lighter. A white plastic bag with a visible burn hole was found next to him, and his clothing appeared to have several burn marks. When approached, Walser made an obscene hand gesture and appeared heavily intoxicated, according to deputies. At one point, he told deputies, “Shoot me in the face. Shoot me right now.”
Walser admitted to being present during the fire but gave no further explanation. After being read his rights, he refused to answer additional questions.
A Washington State Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer working at the nearby Port of Entry had reported the fire. The officer observed Walser walking away from the area where the fire started.
Deputies confirmed that Walser is a convicted felon with 13 prior misdemeanor and felony convictions, including a previous conviction for reckless burning in the second degree.
Walser was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of reckless burning in the second degree. As of the latest update, he remained in custody on a $5,000 bond set by Spokane County District Court Judge P. Johnson.
