Police Department

Convicted felon threatens to kill neighbors, sets apartment on fire

Officer S. Anderson

Friday, September 24, 2021 at 5:16 p.m.

On September 24, 2021 at approximately 5:00am, 911 received a phone call from residents of an apartment building in the 100 block of E. 2nd Avenue after hearing screaming and items being thrown around with force in a neighboring apartment.

SPD officers arrived on scene to check the welfare of the resident, identified as Jaime Herrera (45 y/o). As officers attempted contact with Herrera, he was confrontational and refused any assistance from SPD or medical personnel. Officers determined no probable cause existed due to no crime being committed, and subsequently exited the apartment building without further contact with Herrera.

At approximately 9:00am, after 911 received additional phone calls from apartment residents, SPD responded back to the apartment building. Officers discovered multiple broken windows around the apartment building, and located a witness who claimed to hear Herrera make threats to kill everyone in the building by burning it down.

Officers on scene developed probable cause for Harassment (threats to kill). Officers contained the apartment building and attempted various methods of communication with Herrera, with no response. Witnesses on scene along with other factors led officers to believe Herrera was no longer inside the apartment building, prompting SPD to leave and search the area for him.

At approximately 1:00pm, 911 received a phone call from a resident advising Herrera’s apartment was on fire. Spokane Fire personnel responded and quickly extinguished the flames. No residents of the apartment building were hurt as a result of the fire.

Herrera was located a few hours later and taken into custody for 1st Degree Arson, Harassment (threats to kill), and Reckless Endangerment.

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