Oklahoma Eviction Escalates as Suspect Uses Flamethrower
An ordinary eviction call escalated dramatically when an Oklahoma man was accused of attacking deputies with a homemade flamethrower. The incident took place while a connected car-battery device sat inside his apartment, as shown in body-camera footage.
The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office released the footage capturing deputies entering a dim and cluttered apartment in Oklahoma City on August 11. The tenant, identified as 61-year-old Darron Dunn, had allegedly blockaded the entrance.
Deputies were there to deliver an eviction notice just before noon. Housing Authority staff unlocked the door, yet it would not open fully. Officers noted cables attached to the door and an electric wheelchair positioned to blockade entry.
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Once inside, a deputy saw Dunn seated in a bedroom. The report states that Dunn immediately used an aerosol can as a flame weapon toward a deputy and a security officer, causing a bright ignition.
“Back up!” an officer shouted as flames filled the doorway, forcing a retreat.
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The heat blast was intense, with flames traveling about 15 feet. Observing the situation, deputies noticed a car battery with wires near Dunn, and another setup near the entrance. The tension in the apartment heightened.
“He’s got it hooked up to the battery!” yelled one officer. Others shouted, “Improvised device! Get out!”
The device consisted of butane and carburetor cleaner aerosol cans with exposed wiring. Deputies evacuated nearby residents as the bomb squad arrived.
Officers disabled the setup and safely removed Dunn, who was in a wheelchair. Authorities later confirmed the device was unlikely to explode, although it could have emitted sparks or heat if wires contacted the battery terminal.
Dunn went to a VA hospital for medical and stress issues before being transferred to a mental health facility. He faces charges including assault with a dangerous weapon and obstructing an officer.
The spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the emotional nature of evictions, highlighting previous volatile encounters in similar situations.
A prior incident involved a man who allegedly attempted to ignite a deputy before succumbing to self-inflicted flames.
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Stepheny Price reports on West Coast and Midwest news for Fox News, covering topics like crime, missing persons, and border security.