Teen arson suspect might be tried as adult

A 16-year-old boy who allegedly set a fire Friday that destroyed his family’s Sifton neighborhood home is due in court May 31 for a hearing to decide whether he’ll be tried as an adult.

Deputy Prosecutor Rick Olson will request at the 9 a.m. hearing that Alex Michael Smith be tried as an adult. In Washington, cases involving 16- and 17-year-olds charged with seriously violent offenses can be moved out of juvenile court.

Smith made his first appearance Monday. He is being represented by Vancouver attorney Darcy Scholts, who declined to comment. Smith is being held at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Court records released Monday provided details on what led police to arrest Smith.

Vancouver firefighters were called to the house fire at 9:06 a.m. Friday.

A responding officer interviewed Jacob Smith, Alex Smith’s brother, who said he thought his brother started the blaze, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Patricia Smith told investigators that she and her son had argued that morning. She left and spoke with Alex Smith on the phone when he allegedly threatened, “You’ll be sorry,” according to court documents.

Upon returning, Patricia Smith smelled smoke, ushered her two other children out of the house and had to drag Alex Smith out.

When the fire was put out at about 10:30 a.m., and it became safe for Clark County Deputy Fire Marshal Curtis Eavenson to enter the house, it was determined the fire was intentionally set.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Alex Smith confessed to setting the fire because he was upset.

The home is owned by Michael and Patricia Smith, who are in the process of getting a divorce.