2014 Castle Park arson case takes big step forward
Situation is one that Yumans have watched closely
Yumans are one step closer to knowing what happened the night a beloved park burned to the ground.
On Thursday morning, Yuma Police Chief John Lekan announced a major break in the case: YPD had a suspect.
On Aug. 6, investigators spoke to Kane Perez, who then confessed to starting the fire, officials said. Yumans have watched the Castle Park arson case closely, because the site is near and dear to our hearts. Formerly known as the Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground, the park opened in 2007 thanks to a community effort by residents and visitors of all ages who put in some 9,600 man-hours per day over the 12 days. It was a labor of love, and a crown jewel of the community.
In the aftermath of the fire, residents immediately rallied in support of rebuilding the park, and in December 2015, the city opened the Castle Park once again. This case is a tough one to understand. Perez is only 17. At the time of the arson case, he was 13, and officials said he is the sole suspect in the arson case.
That information alone sparks so many questions. Along with the obvious, “Why?,” one also has to wonder what could possibly lead a 13-year-old to burn down a park. That’s an age where one still might play at a park, not destroy one.
Perez still must go through the justice system, because, as Mayor Doug Nicholls pointed out Thursday, this is not a conviction.
And, this isn’t the only case pending for Perez. He is also facing three counts of attempted first-degree murder after allegedly shooting at three police officers who were documenting graffiti on a wall the night of Aug. 1.
The journey for justice in the Castle Park arson isn’t over, and it’s a case the Yuma Sun team will continue to report on, to keep the community informed as it works its way through the justice system.
In the meantime, to the Yuma Police and Fire Departments – thank you for your dedication and commitment to finding a suspect. Your hard work is appreciated.
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