Four charged in pipe bomb detonation

Four people who are accused of pipe-bombing a Spokesman-Review newspaper box and sparking a small fire in rural Whitman County have been arrested on charges of felony arson, Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers said.

The adult and three juveniles constructed a “fairly crude” bomb and detonated it in a paper box in Endicott around 11 p.m. Sunday, Myers said.

The explosion started a fire in the box, which sat against the wall of a store, he said.

The store wasn’t damaged.

Eric Johnson, 18, was charged with second-degree arson and is being held on a $10,000 bond at the county jail, Myers said.

Two 16-year-olds and one 15-year-old were also arrested on those charges and taken to a juvenile detention facility, where they’ll receive violence assessments, he said.

“All four of the individuals have expressed remorse in this incident,” Myers said.

“None expressed any intent to scare, threaten or intimidate.”

“It was just plain stupidity,” he added.

The suspects have detonated several pipe bombs over the past few weeks, Myers said.