PORTLAND, Ore. — A man is facing arson and domestic violence-related charges after throwing a Molotov cocktail at a trailer that had two people inside.
On Thursday at 6:14 a.m., Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) responded to Southeast 162nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street for a report of the trailer fire. Firefighters extinguished the flames and investigators determined that the trailer had a man and woman inside at the time the fire was lit, according to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB).
No one was injured, and neither of the victims have been publicly identified.
Later, around 9:26 p.m., officers responded to a call where a neighbor found a shopping cart containing several Molotov cocktails. As police were investigating, suspect William A. Wingo was spotted nearby.
Wingo, 33, then tried to flee but was arrested, PPB said.
Investigators found out that Wingo had previously lived in the trailer and had been in a relationship with the woman inside. Wingo had also assaulted the woman on April 17 with a slingshot and lit a blanket on fire.
Wingo was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree arson relating to domestic violence, three counts of possessing and manufacturing of a destructive device, three counts of manufacturing a destructive device, fourth-degree domestic violence, third-degree criminal mischief relating to domestic violence, reckless endangerment of another person and unrelated warrants.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Portland Police Detective Meredith Hopper at Meredith.Hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov or call the PF&R Fire Investigation Unit’s tip line, 503-823- FIRE (3473). Reference case number PP24-95493.