Naked suspect ignites makeshift flamethrower during eviction showdown in Oklahoma City
A body-camera video shows a nude man firing a homemade flamethrower at deputies who were serving an eviction notice at an Oklahoma City apartment.
On the morning of Aug. 11, Oklahoma Sheriff’s Department deputies served an eviction notice at an apartment on South Harvey Avenue in Oklahoma City. When they kicked down a door blocked by a large object, the officers announced themselves and entered the dark unit with flashlights. Inside, a naked man was seated in a chair holding a makeshift flamethrower constructed from aerosol spray.
After repeated commands to drop the device, the suspect ignited it, sending a burst of fire toward the officers. The building was cleared and a bomb squad was summoned to disable the weapon safely. The individual was initially taken to a Veterans Affairs hospital for medical stress, then transferred to a mental-health facility, and now faces charges including assault, obstruction and use of explosives.
Why it matters
The incident highlights risks faced by law enforcement during evictions and the need for mental-health interventions.
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