Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Mesa veteran shoots man trying to set him, home on fire
KITV ^ | March 30, 2016 | Jennifer Thomas

Posted on 03/31/2016 5:46:09 AM PDT by kevcol

Mesa, AZ -- A Vietnam veteran was sprayed with lighter fluid after confronting a man setting his Mesa home on fire early Wednesday morning.

Police said the man and his wife heard noises outside their home near Dobson and Broadway roads around 1 a.m. He went to check it out and took a gun with him.

The veteran saw part of his home on fire and confronted a 20-year-old man. Police said the suspect sprayed lighter fluid on the veteran's face and body in an attempt to set him on fire.

The veteran then shot the suspect in the arm.

The victim's wife was able to get water and put out the fire.

The suspect ran off, but officers found him nearby. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injury. He is facing arson and aggravated assault charges.

The veteran was not seriously hurt and firefighters treated him on scene. His home sustained minimal damage.

"Looking at the scene, just so lucky that this house didn't burn, that these folks are not more injured," said Detective Steve Berry with the Mesa Police Department.

Berry said the suspect piled up debris to start the fire.

Police believe the suspect was drunk when he tried to set the home on fire.

Police said the two men do not know each other.


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: arizona; banglist; mesaaz

1 posted on 03/31/2016 5:46:10 AM PDT by kevcol
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: kevcol

Looks like this veteran needs a little “range time!” Glad the damage was not more severe!


2 posted on 03/31/2016 5:48:21 AM PDT by jennings2004 ("What difference, at this point, does it make!"! Senator Cruz: Canadian from birth to May, 2014!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kevcol
Police believe the suspect was drunk

I find that hard to believe.

3 posted on 03/31/2016 5:48:53 AM PDT by Gamecock ( Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul...Matthew 10:28)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kevcol
He is facing arson and aggravated assault charges.

he attempted to set an occupied dwelling on fire and attempted to immolate another individual. Is attempted murder no longer a crime?

4 posted on 03/31/2016 5:57:11 AM PDT by RC one
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RC one
he attempted to set an occupied dwelling on fire and attempted to immolate another individual. Is attempted murder no longer a crime?

It depends. Was the perp a member of a protected class?????

5 posted on 03/31/2016 6:07:34 AM PDT by raybbr (That progressive bumpers sticker on your car might just as well say, "Yes, I'm THAT stupid!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: kevcol

I think there may be more to this story. Wonder what the races of the perp and the homeowner are?


6 posted on 03/31/2016 6:18:59 AM PDT by circlecity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: raybbr

Arizona law specifically lists “Arson of an occupied structure” as a justified reason to use deadly force.

I had not seen an example for quite a while. I used to use the LA riots as an example for my students...


7 posted on 03/31/2016 6:31:18 AM PDT by marktwain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: kevcol

“suspect shot in arm, expected to survive”

Once again, a case of ‘not enough gun’


8 posted on 03/31/2016 6:37:11 AM PDT by PLMerite (The Revolution...will not be kind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jennings2004

Bad aim.
Shoot “center of mass” or just a tad higher.


9 posted on 03/31/2016 7:19:04 AM PDT by Flintlock (The ballot box STOLEN, our soapbox taken away--the BULLET BOX is left us.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: jennings2004

Accelerant in hand used to rapidly spread a fire to a structure-—premeditated arson.


10 posted on 03/31/2016 7:37:24 AM PDT by Ozark Tom (Trump- may his success be measured against Charles "The Hammer" Martel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: jennings2004
Looks like this veteran needs a little “range time!”

Perhaps you should try shooting with a face full of lighter fluid and tell us how well it went.

11 posted on 03/31/2016 7:42:18 AM PDT by Godzilla (3/7/77)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson