High school damaged by ‘incendiary device’ detonation; 20-year-old man arrested after standoff

PIQUA — A man accused of starting a fire at Piqua High School is in jail after a SWAT standoff.

Grady Egerton, 20, has been accused of creating an “explosive device that he used to catch Piqua High School on fire, according to Miami County Municipal Court documents.

>> PHOTOS: Piqua High School damaged by ‘incendiary device’ detonation

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, a spokesperson for the city of Piqua said a homemade incendiary device was detonated near the main entrance of the high school. Court documents noted the detonation blew out several windows and doors.

This happened around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Police share a video of smoke coming from the high school on social media.

Piqua police obtained a search warrant and went to Egerton’s home on Jill Court around 11:15 p.m. He allegedly produced a pistol and officers fired shots a him.

Egerton was taken into custody around 4 a.m. He was taken to Upper Valley Medical Center to be evaluated and was later released and booked into the Miami County Jail.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man in custody after SWAT standoff in Piqua

News Center 7′s John Bedell asked police about a motive. They said the case is still under investigation.

He’s been charged with possession of a dangerous ordinance, arson, vandalism, and inducing panic. He appeared in court on Tuesday morning and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Egerton is being held in the Miami County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

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