Man who confessed to arson that killed Everett firefighter a no-show at sentencing Elmer Nash, Jr. had already pleaded guilty for a 1987 arson that killed Gary Parks when Nash was just 12-years-old. Author: Eric Wilkinson Updated: 7:00 PM PDT May 7, 2021 He is now apparently on the run. Authorities are on his trail, and a family that has waited 34 years for justice will have to wait a little longer. Everett firefighter Gary Parks died Feb 16, 1987, while putting out an arson that destroyed the library at Everett Community College. Investigators at the time suspected 12-year-old Nash but they didn't have enough evidence for an arrest.