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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Molotov cocktail suspect arrested

Cameron Butler (Spokane Fire Department / Courtesy)

U.S. marshals have arrested a Florida man in Moses Lake after he allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at a house in East Central Spokane.

Cameron Butler, 36, was arrested on a federal warrant July 21 and is in the Grant County Jail.

The Spokane Fire Department responded to a hazardous materials call at a home in the 2200 block of East First Avenue around 5:30 a.m. July 21, according to a news release. Investigators found six Molotov cocktails were thrown at the home while two adults and four children were inside.

Paula Matheson, who lives in the house, said Butler was an ex-roommate who’s been threatening and abusive since she asked him to move out.

“He was really sweet and nice until I asked him to leave,” Matheson said. She’s only known Butler for about four months, she said.

She said the Molotov cocktails had socks sticking out of them and appeared to be filled with a flammable substance. Many of them bounced off the window, she said.

One of the incendiary devices started a fire in a bedroom inside the house, but a nearby Spokane police officer responded and was able to extinguish the fire.

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives identified Butler as a suspect and collaborated with U.S. marshals to arrest him, the release said.

Butler has not been charged with any new crimes in Spokane County.