DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wash. — A total of four suspects have now been arrested in connection with the deadly Chelan Hills fire that burned thousands of acres, injured six firefighters, and killed one man.
With the help of the U.S. Marshals, 18-year-old Valentin Tabunscic of Tacoma, 19-year-old Mark Okhrimchik of University Place, and 19-year-old Julian Mikityuk of Pacific were arrested Thursday.
RELATED | 3 more suspects arrested in deadly Chelan Hills wildfire investigation
Warrants for their arrests list charges of manslaughter, arson, malicious mischief, and assault, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Michael Yakimov, 18, was previously arrested as the “primary suspect” on Sept. 2.
In his second court appearance on Thursday, Yakimov pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter, arson, and malicious mischief, as well as six counts of third-degree assault for each of the firefighters injured in the response.
Tabunscic, Okhrimchik, and Mikityuk made their first appearances in court Friday. All four suspects are being held in the Chelan County Jail on $1 million bail each.
During Friday’s court hearings, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Callan Martinez noted that all three suspects have had time to turn themselves in, and none of them chose to do so.
Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille said his agency is pushing for all suspects to be charged with the same nine offenses as Yakimov.
“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,” Caille said. “There’s been no remorse shown by any of these individuals.”
Earlier this week, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office released video of the incident that allegedly started the wildfire on July 4.
According to sheriff’s office detectives, multiple people allegedly fired Roman candles from a moving truck while Douglas County was under a burn ban prohibiting fireworks and open burning.
Investigators said the fireworks ignited dry grass along the roadway, sparking the Chelan Hills Fire.
An image of all 4 of the suspects in the deadly Chelan Hills wildfire in court. (KOMO)
Court documents state Yakimov is seen shooting illegal fireworks from the bed of a white truck. Others can be seen in the video as fireworks are shot toward a passing car, while someone is heard yelling, “Shoot at them! Shoot at them!”
One of the fireworks is believed to have landed in dry grass and started the fire, investigators said.
The wildfire killed Robert Lister, 69, as he tried to escape the flames in his vehicle.
The sheriff’s office now says the fire injured six firefighters, destroyed more than 100 structures, burned more than 10,000 acres, and caused more than $6 million in losses and property damage.
“With Mr. Lister’s death, those who lost their homes, their memories…those are all things that I can’t replace for them,” Caille said. “What I can do is help bring those to justice who are responsible, and that’s what we’re doing.”
There are two outstanding suspects in this investigation. They are believed to be the final two people involved, Caille confirmed.