A naked man shot a makeshift flamethrower at deputies serving an eviction notice at an Oklahoma City apartment, newly released bodycam footage shows.
Deputies from the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Department arrived at the apartment on South Harvey Avenue just before noon on Aug. 11 to serve the eviction order. Three officers gathered outside the unit and found the door blocked by a large object and secured with a chain lock. They repeatedly ordered the person inside to open up before kicking the door down.
The officers then cautiously made their way through the dark apartment, using flashlights to search inside as they announced themselves. As they entered a darkened room, their flashlights revealed the naked suspect sitting in a chair holding a device. The officers repeatedly told him to put down the object.
Seconds later, the suspect ignited the makeshift flamethrower using aerosol spray, sending a burst of fire exploding toward the officers during the confrontation.
Police evacuated the entire building following the incident so a bomb squad could safely disable and remove the device. The suspect was detained at the scene and initially taken to a Veterans Affairs hospital for medical stress before being transferred to a mental facility, according to the report.
He now faces several charges, including assault, obstruction, and use of explosives.
In the viral moment that drew national attention after the bodycam release, the confrontation unfolded rapidly from a routine eviction service to a life-threatening encounter. The footage shows the deputies’ surprise as flames suddenly erupted in the confined space of the apartment room, forcing them to retreat from the improvised weapon constructed from common household materials.
The case highlights the unpredictable dangers law enforcement face during what appear to be standard civil proceedings, with mental health concerns now central to the suspect’s legal situation following his transfer to psychiatric care.
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