A fifth suspect is now in custody as the investigation into the deadly Chelan Hills fire continues.
A fifth suspect is now in custody as the investigation into the deadly Chelan Hills fire continues.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) said U.S. Marshals arrested a 19-year-old man late Thursday in Pierce County.
He was booked into the Pierce County Jail until Friday morning, when DCSO detectives took custody of the suspect.
Investigators said the fireworks ignited dry grass along the roadway, sparking the Chelan Hills Fire.
The fifth suspect was in the truck when the fire began and was booked into the Pierce County Jail before Douglas County detectives took custody of him Friday morning, according to Sheriff Tyler Caille.
KOMO News is not yet releasing the man's name or showing his photo, as he has not been formally charged.
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KOMO has been following this story as four other suspects have already been arrested.
The first was 18-year-old Michael Yakimov, who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter, arson, malicious mischief, and six counts of third-degree assault for injuring firefighters who responded to the fire.
On Sept. 17, authorities arrested 18-year-old Valentin Tabunscic of Tacoma, 19-year-old Mark Okhrimchik of University Place, and 19-year-old Julian Mikityuk of Pacific with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force.
"The way I look at it, they're all complicit in this crime. They were all in the truck. They were all there when the actions occurred," Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille said. "There's been no remorse shown by any of these individuals."
An image of 4 of the suspects in the deadly Chelan Hills wildfire in court. (KOMO)All four of the previous suspects are being held in the Chelan County Jail on $1 million bail each. According to the sheriff's office, warrants for their arrests listed charges of manslaughter, arson, malicious mischief, and assault.
Court records show that last week, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office released a video of the July 4 event. According to detectives, several people allegedly fired Roman candles from a moving truck during a burn ban for fireworks and open burning. Investigators believe fireworks hit dry grass, which started the Chelan Hills Fire.
Someone in the video can be heard yelling, "Shoot at them! Shoot at them!"
The fire killed Robert Lister, 69, as he tried to escape in his vehicle. The sheriff's office also reported that six firefighters were injured, more than 100 structures were destroyed, and the fire burned more than 10,000 acres.
Caille said his office is pushing for all suspects to face the same nine charges Yakimov was charged with. Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Callan Martinez told the court that the three newest suspects had opportunities to turn themselves in but did not.
Caille said, "What I can do is help bring those to justice who are responsible, and that's what we're doing."
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office reported last week that two suspects remained outstanding. Thursday's arrest would bring that number to one.
