SPOKANE, WA — The suspect accused of setting a man on fire beneath the Browne Street Viaduct last month is now in custody, according to the Spokane Police Department.

Investigators identified 57-year-old Dupree L. Meadows as the individual responsible for the September 17 assault that left a male victim with severe burns and in critical condition. SPD officials said detectives worked “tirelessly” to identify Meadows despite having very limited information, as the victim’s injuries prevented him from providing details to investigators.

With assistance from the Seattle Police Department, detectives gathered enough evidence to confirm Meadows’ involvement. Patrol officers located and arrested him Sunday afternoon, October 5, in the area of 3rd Avenue and Florida Street.

Meadows was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of first-degree assault and first-degree arson. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.

According to the original SPD release, officers were flagged down near the Browne Street Viaduct just before 3 p.m. on September 17, where they found a man suffering from extensive burn injuries. Witnesses reported seeing a suspect douse the victim with gasoline before setting him on fire and fleeing the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital and later flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for advanced treatment.

SPD’s Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate the case. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Crime Check at 509-456-2233 and reference case number 2025-20191685.