Update: Jarod T. Lane Waives Extradition

UPDATE 5/29/12

KFOR-TV out of Oklahoma is reporting that 19-year-old Jarod Lane appeared before a judge this morning and decided to waive his extradition.

Lane's decision to waive extradition means that he has voluntarily chosen to return to Washington state, but does not indicated an admission of guilt. The Renton Police Department now has 10 days to collect him. If Lane had decided to go through extradition, the process could have taken at 30 days or more.

Lane is considered a "person of interest" in the murder of 17-year-old Jessica Scholl.

UPDATE 6 p.m. 5/28/12

Here is a statement from Renton Police about the capture earlier today of Jarod Lane:

"At about 1330 hours on 5/28/12, Renton Police were notified by Oklahoma City OK Police of the arrest of Jarod Lane; Lane is suspected in last Friday’s murder of 17-year-old Jessica Scholl."

"A 2001 Mazda Protégé which Lane had been driving was found abandoned near Guthrie OK earlier in the day, and a television news crew enroute to cover that story saw Lane walking along the side of a road in Oklahoma City a few hours later. They recognized Lane from photographs released to their Seattle area affiliate station, and called 911, resulting in Lane’s arrest. Lane will be held in Oklahoma City while extradition is arranged."

"The victim’s family has asked us to forward the following statement to all of the media outlets who covered this story:

“We, as Jessica Scholl's family, would like to thank the Renton Police Department and numerous other law enforcement agencies for their diligence in searching for the person of interest.  Especially thank you to the Oklahoma City Police Department and News Channel 4's Adam Mertz and Mark Paris who helped to apprehend him."

"We would like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of healthy relationships, and encourage everyone to report known or suspected teen or domestic violence."

"Our family has appreciated the way the media has respected our wishes to grieve and remember Jessica in private.  We have no further comment at this time.”

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Original Story:

From the Renton Police Department:

Renton Police seek your assistance in locating Jarod T. Lane, who is wanted for questioning related to the homicide of a 17 year old female student of Lindbergh High School and the suspected arson of her residence.  Lane is described as a Caucasian male with a dark complexion, 5’09”, 152 pounds, brown eyes and brown or black hair.  He may be driving a green 2001 Mazda Protégé, Washington license 077YRD. 

At 7:54 a.m. this morning, Renton Fire Department responded to a residential fire in the 12700 block of SE 164th Street.  The fire was extinguished within eight minutes of their arrival.  While quashing the fire, Firefighters located a 17 year old female on the second floor of the residence.  She was extracted to the yard outside the residence, and CPR was attempted but unsuccessful.  The victim’s injuries appear to be consistent with homicide.  Cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner.

The fire, described by Deputy Fire Chief Wallgren as a “contents fire,” appears to be an act of arson. 

 Lane is known to have been at a gas station in North Bend sometime this morning, and is believed to be heading east.  If you see Lane or his vehicle, or have information about his whereabouts, please call 9-1-1 immediately.  He should be considered armed and dangerous.  If you have information about the homicide and arson, please contact the Renton Police Department at 425-430-7500.

Firefighters found the girl's body after receiving a 7:54 a.m. report of a fire at a home near the corner of S.E. 164th and 128th Ave. S.E. Renton Fire and Emergency Services arrived four minutes after the call and extinguished the fire within 10 minutes. It was when firefighters searched the home that they found the girl's body alone.

Her parents have been notified but her identity had not been released. 

The Renton School District notified parents at about 10:40 a.m. that a student had died before the start of school on Friday, said Lindbergh parent Kari Kopnick. The notice did not provide any further details.

A girl who identified herself as an 11th-grade Lindbergh student spoke with Patch late Friday morning. She attempted to go to her friend's home near the homicide scene, but was turned away by police.

Students were told that the girl "died because of the fire," she said. "Everybody is crying. It's like silence."

"I knew her as a person, but not personally," she said of the victim.

Classes have remained on the normal schedule, according to the student.