An eviction in Oklahoma City escalated into a confrontation when a 61-year-old man allegedly used a flamethrower against deputies. The incident occurred on August 11, as depicted in body-camera footage released by the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived at the apartment of Darron Dunn to enforce an eviction order. Initially, housing staff unlocked the door, but it only opened partially due to hindrances like cables and an electric wheelchair blocking it.
Once inside the apartment, a deputy encountered Dunn seated in a bedroom. According to reports, Dunn directed an aerosol can toward the deputy and a Housing Authority officer, igniting it and producing a fiery flash.
Authorities noted the flames extended approximately 15 feet towards the deputy. The officers then witnessed a car battery with wires attached near Dunn and another wired setup by the entrance.
An officer yelled, “He’s got it hooked up to the battery!” prompting evacuation orders to avoid further danger from potential improvised devices.
The Sheriff’s tactical unit and bomb squad intervened. They safely dismantled the wires from the aerosol cans and removed Dunn in his wheelchair. Dunn was initially treated at a VA hospital before being moved to a mental health facility.
Charges were later filed against Dunn, including assault with a dangerous weapon and obstructing an officer. The sheriff’s office emphasized the high emotional stakes during eviction processes, referencing past similar incidents. In one such case a year earlier, a man attempted to set a deputy on fire, resulting in his own fatal injuries.
A spokesperson noted these events remain deeply challenging for law enforcement officers involved in eviction procedures.
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