On Thursday, May 25, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Detectives arrested a Lake City woman for arson and attempted murder following a three month investigation.
The investigation began in the early morning hours of February 16, when Deputies were called to the 400 block of Thompkins Loop in unincorporated Columbia County. It was reported that someone had fired shots at and threw an improvised incendiary device into the occupied home.
Detectives responded and assumed the investigation. They collected items of evidence that required extensive laboratory analysis. Working congruently with Florida’s Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, a suspect was developed via DNA and other physical evidence gathered at the scene.
Coordinating with the State Attorney’s Office, Detectives filed for an arrest warrant, which was granted and the suspect, Ronda Wyche, 52 was arrested without incident at 244 SE Milton Ter in Lake City.
Wyche was booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility on two counts of attempted murder, $500,000 bond, one count of arson, $100,000 bond and three counts of possession and manufacturing a firebomb, $60,000 bond.
“Solid investigative work has taken a very dangerous person off the streets.” Sheriff Mark Hunter said, “I’m proud of the excellent work done by the Sheriff’s Office members and the tremendous relationship we have with our state partners.”
