Published January 15 2017
On Saturday night at 5:50 p.m., Bellevue Police held a press conference at City Hall to provide new details related to their investigation into a suspicious fire at the Islamic Center of Eastside in Bellevue on Saturday morning.
Along with Police Chief Steve Mylett and Fire Chief Mark Risen were representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and the Islamic Center of Eastside.
The suspect was identified as Isaac Wayne Wilson, DOB 10/24/79. Wilson is believed to have been homeless and living in the Bellevue area. Wilson was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of second-degree arson and an outstanding arrest warrant. He will be held at the jail until his first court appearance in King County Superior Court, which will likely be on Tuesday.
On Sunday the Islamic Center of Eastside, a mosque, hosted a community event at Sammamish High School that drew 500 people. Chief Risen and Chief Mylett attended, and provided details about the city's response to the event.
Wilson had previous contacts with the mosque, and was in fact arrested for assault as a result of a disturbance at the mosque in July. The Bellevue Police case number for that incident is 16-40565.
Bellevue Police expect to forward the case to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office on Tuesday for consideration of criminal charges. The status of the fire was changed from "suspicious" to a confirmed arson, and investigators continue to investigate the cause and origin of the fire while at the same time continuing the arson investigation.