A Washington man faces attempted first-degree murder and other charges in connection with a fire and explosion at a residential building last week.
Tazewell County Sheriff Jeffrey Lower said Illinois State Police arrested Scott Tyler Benway, 39, on Monday and took him to the Tazewell County Jail. Lower said Benway remains in custody.
Benway, who suffered burns in the incident, appeared before Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Chris Doscotch on Monday afternoon through a video feed from the jail. He was ordered to remain in custody until he is medically cleared to wear an electronic monitoring device.
State Police, along with officers from the Washington and East Peoria police departments were called to the four-unit building near U.S. 24 and North Cummings Lane at about 4:30 a.m. on May 10 for a report of multiple gunshots fired.
Police said a resident of one of the units fired at officers. A Washington police officer returned fire. Benway was taken to the hospital. Authorities have not said whether he was struck by the officer’s returned fire.
Benway also faces a charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm and residential arson.
The explosion and subsequent fire came after the gunfire that had engulfed the unit where the suspect had emerged.
All four units in the building were uninhabitable after the fire. Lower said Illinois State Police is continuing to investigate.
State Police handles all investigations of officer-involved shootings.
