COLFAX, WA – The 40-Year-Old Pullman man accused of firebombing his apartment building while high on methamphetamine has withdrawn his insanity defense.
Elijah Reagan appeared in Whitman County Superior Court on Friday. Reagan is charged with felonies for arson, eluding and vandalism by using explosives. He initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity last month. On Friday he withdrew the insanity pleas and was arraigned for a second time and pleaded not guilty.
Pullman Police believe that Reagan shot off a firework from a mortar tube inside his apartment on Military Hill on the afternoon of October 5th. The firework quickly sparked a large blaze that damaged the 18 unit building. 30 people were evacuated including an elderly person with a walker who needed help from several others to escape the flames.
Reagan then allegedly fled the scene and led local law enforcement on a car chase which stopped South of Uniontown when his tires were punctured by officers. He was eventually arrested after an armed standoff with the Whitman County SWAT team. No one was hurt during the incident.
The blaze displaced dozens of residents. If convicted Reagan could spend the rest of his life in prison. He is set to be back in court in January. Reagan remains in the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office Jail on a quarter million dollars bond. There was no reason stated in court on Friday as to why he withdrew his not guilty by reason of insanity pleas.
