On June 20, 1999, at approximately 1:30 A.M., while on routine patrol an officer from West Deer Township Police Department, Allegheny County Pennsylvania, observed two (2) white males running on East Union Road. The one suspect was walking towards Saxonburg Boulevard; the other walked in front of the officer’s patrol unit and appeared to be coming from the Deer Lakes Middle School. When the officer stopped his vehicle and attempted to question the suspects they fled the area dropping what appeared to be a spray can. As the officer pulled onto the school property along the East Side of the building, he smelled smoke. From behind the southwest corner of the building, he saw smoke coming from the second floor. The Allegheny County Fire Marshall determined that the fire that damaged the first and second floors of the building was Arson and estimated the damage at $50,000.00.

There were two (2) juveniles involved in this crime; the one suspect was described as a White male, between 12-16 years old. He had a thin to medium build with shaved blonde hair on the sides and longer blonde hair on top. The description of the second White male suspect is unknown.