Man fires 20-30 rounds inside Monroe home, sets it on fire during mental health crisis

A 63-year-old man believed to be having a behavioral health crisis shot between 20 and 30 rounds inside his home and set it on fire last week in Monroe.

On Aug. 17 at approximately 7:25 a.m., Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) deputies responded to the 10100 block of Woods Lake Road for a suspicious circumstances call, SCSO announced Monday.

The man called law enforcement to report that he was armed and believed he may have shot someone inside his home. The night before, a neighbor had reported hearing several gunshots coming from that same direction.

SCSO deputies later learned that the male was experiencing a health crisis and believed that armed militia members were in his home.

Situation escalated quickly once deputies reached the Monroe home

As deputies arrived at the scene, they could hear several gunshots, estimated to be between 20 and 30 rounds, coming from inside the residence.

“The situation quickly became increasingly dangerous,” the sheriff’s office stated.

As deputies were outside the residence, the man set his own house on fire while he was still inside it, firing his weapon at perceived threats that weren’t actually in the home.

Fire crews were also called to respond as the circumstances were “rapidly deteriorating.” Deputies deployed a drone to locate the man, and deputies on the ground responded to assist with removing him from the burning home through a window.

SCSO noted that deputies’ actions prevented what could have been a devastating loss of life.

The man was ultimately transported by ambulance to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett for further evaluation and involuntary behavioral health treatment.

“This incident was an example of how quickly a behavioral health crisis can escalate into a life-threatening situation,” SCSO stated. “The actions of the deputies and other first responders ultimately helped prevent further injury or loss of life during an extremely dangerous and devastating event. Thank you to the first responders who helped save this individual and transport him for additional treatment.”

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