Machete-wielding man arrested after allegedly setting Thurston County home on fire

A Thurston County man, armed with a machete, allegedly set a duplex on fire Wednesday afternoon to avoid being evicted.

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies responded to Carpenter Road to implement a physical eviction when the tenant refused to cooperate, TCSO announced.

The tenant was provided several warnings throughout the eviction process, and was aware that Wednesday was the final notice.

The landlord learned the suspect had slashed all of the walls with edged weapons inside the residence, causing significant damage.

Neighbors also reported abusive behavior from the tenant, and claimed he would scream racial slurs at minorities as they passed by the home.

Viewer discretion advised: The full video of the arrest can be found here.

Belligerent suspect ignites fire as Thurston County deputies arrive

As deputies arrived, there was no active fire inside the home, but the message, “F*** ICE,” was displayed in the window.

After several commands for the tenant to exit the residence, the suspect allegedly set a fire in one of the rooms, which quickly spread throughout the home.

“Suddenly, flames could be seen from the couch in the living room, and the residence went up in flames,” TCSO stated.

Neighbors in the other unit were evacuated as the residence was quickly engulfed in flames.

The sheriff’s office noted that deputies developed probable cause for arson in the first degree.

After the suspect exited the residence, he refused to cooperate with deputies and walked to the back of the house while holding a machete.

Deputies deployed several 40mm less-lethal rounds, which struck the suspect. The less-lethal rounds did not subdue the suspect as he ultimately found cover behind a tree.

“Deputies utilized time, distance, and cover to avoid having to shoot the suspect,” TCSO stated. “Deputies took cover behind trees and worked to negotiate with the suspect.”

A Taser was eventually deployed as the suspect began to walk toward a deputy; however, the suspect used the machete to cut the probe wires. As deputies remained at a safe distance, additional less-lethal rounds were fired at the suspect.

Flames force deputies to drag suspect to safety

The suspect then attempted to walk toward the street, but a successful Taser was deployed, and the suspect fell to the ground. Deputies attempted to handcuff the suspect, but the flames coming from the residence made it too hot to complete the arrest.

The suspect was dragged away from the flames into the street, where he was detained and later transported to a local hospital. The suspect had an injury to his right arm, which is believed to have been sustained from the first less-lethal shot.

After the suspect was cleared from the hospital, he was booked for first-degree arson and first-degree malicious mischief.

“TCSO deputies demonstrated courage, compassion, and skill during this incident to avoid a lethal encounter,” the sheriff’s office stated. “Increasing distance and taking cover to slow the pace allows for more time to make good decisions. TCSO deputies are also equipped with some of the best equipment on the market, including 40mm launchers with green dot sights for accuracy and Taser 10 devices. Better tactics, better equipment, better outcomes.”

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