Suspect Attempted to Burn Down Ex-Girlfriend’s Home with Her Inside Arrested for Arson 1st Degree and Murder 1st Degree (Attempted)
Yesterday afternoon, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detectives, through their investigation into a fire at a residence east of Cheney, charged 55-year-old David E. Weimer with Arson 1st Degree and Attempted Murder 1st Degree.
On May 6, 2019, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a residence in the 16200 block of S. Sherman Road for a reported fire and possible arson call. The complainant/victim reported she was sleeping inside her home when she heard a loud boom and realized her residence was on fire. She initially could not exit the home as all the exit doors of the residence had been set on fire. Eventually, she escaped the burning home and called 911.
Neighbors, who also heard the loud boom, arrived and attempted to extinguish the fire using garden hoses. Fire personnel arrived at the location and put the fire out.
The adult female victim was uninjured during this incident.
Due to the nature of the crime, Major Crimes Detectives were called to assist in the investigation along with a Spokane Fire Department Arson Investigator.
The victim was interviewed and Investigators learned she recently broke up with her boyfriend, Weimer, and since then, Weimer had been sending her threatening text and email messages.
After the initial site assessment, it was determined there were four different locations on the residence where the suspect started a fire both entrance/exit doors and in two different areas along the exterior walls of the residence.
In a search of the surrounding area of the residence, evidence was discovered which indicated pre-planning for the arson. This evidence included; new match cartons, butane fuel containers, several cigarette butts (similar to the brand known to be used by Weimer), a bottle of whiskey (the same brand reportedly preferred by Weimer), Coke bottles and two different gas containers.
An extensive search for Weimer was conducted; however, he was not located.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Forensics Unit assisted with the processing of the scene and collection of evidence.
On the afternoon of May 7, 2019, Detectives were notified that Cheney Police Officers and United States Marshals had located Weimer and safely taken him into custody.
Weimer was transported to the Public Safety Building and interviewed prior to being booked into the Spokane County Jail for charges of Arson 1st Degree and Attempted Murder 1st Degree.