Bodycam footage released by the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Department shows a chaotic scene where deputies attempting to serve an eviction notice were met with a flamethrower. The incident occurred on Aug. 11 at an Oklahoma City apartment.
Deputies arrived at the apartment just before noon and encountered a door that had been blocked. After forcing entry, they cautiously entered the dark apartment, using flashlights to navigate and announce their presence. In one room, officers discovered a naked man holding an object. They repeatedly ordered him to put it down.
Seconds later, the man ignited the device, which appeared to be a makeshift flamethrower constructed with aerosol spray, firing a burst of flames toward the officers. The confrontation was captured by the officers' body cameras.
Following the incident, the entire building was evacuated to allow a bomb squad to safely disable and remove the flamethrower. The suspect was taken into custody and initially transported to a Veterans Affairs hospital for medical evaluation due to stress. He was later transferred to a mental health facility. He faces multiple charges, including assault, obstruction, and the use of explosives.