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.
Looks like this veteran needs a little “range time!” Glad the damage was not more severe!
I find that hard to believe.
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?????
I think there may be more to this story. Wonder what the races of the perp and the homeowner are?
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...
“suspect shot in arm, expected to survive”
Once again, a case of ‘not enough gun’
Bad aim.
Shoot “center of mass” or just a tad higher.
Accelerant in hand used to rapidly spread a fire to a structure-—premeditated arson.
Perhaps you should try shooting with a face full of lighter fluid and tell us how well it went.
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