Banned Democratic Party Volunteer Charged In Arson Fire: Police

PHOENIX — A suspect has been arrested in the Arizona state and Maricopa County Democratic Party headquarters in downtown Phoenix early Friday morning. The Phoenix Fire Investigation Task Force said Wednesday that 29-year old Matthew Egler had been charged and booked on a charge of arson of an occupied structure.

Police said Egler was a former volunteer in the office but had recently been banned from volunteer service for reasons that were not disclosed. Police tracked Egler down at the home of a family member in Peoria, and he was taken into custody early on Wednesday morning.

In a statement, Maricopa County Democratic Party Chair Steven Slugocki said he appreciated "swift action" from investigators and said the party remains undeterred and will press on to the November election.

"This unfortunate incident will not distract or deter us from achieving the goals we set in 2016," his statement read. "We remain committed to our mission to elect Democrats in November."

In surveillance footage released by Phoenix police, a man can be seen in the headquarters' parking lot. He exits his vehicle, breaks the glass window in the building and lights a fire before driving off. A task force compromised of police detectives and arson investigators traced the car to one of Egler's family members. It was later found abandoned in Chandler.

Police said Egler confessed in a Twitter post. A look at Egler's Twitter account revealed he confessed to the bombing on Tuesday. Posting a link to an article about the arson, he tweeted, "I BOMBED THIS BUILDING LISTEN TO WHAT IM SAYING."

This is a developing story. Check back here for more details later.