Authorities have apprehended a Florida man following a dramatic series of events where he allegedly set his home on fire, returned later to start another fire, and fatally stabbed a man attempting to intervene.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office reported that 37-year-old William Michael Larsen was taken into custody on Tuesday after an extensive manhunt in the Floral City region.
“Our team was fully mobilized for this operation,” stated Sheriff David Vincent.
Initially, deputies were called to a residential fire on a tranquil street in Floral City shortly after midnight on Tuesday. Although the homeowner, Larsen, was absent when authorities arrived, he was subsequently located and questioned regarding the incident, according to officials.
Later that morning, at 6:13 a.m., deputies received another report indicating that Larsen had returned to the vicinity and set a nearby shed ablaze, as per the sheriff’s office.
Hours later at 6:13 a.m., deputies received a second call reporting that Larsen had returned to the same street and ignited a nearby shed, the sheriff’s office said.
Witnesses reported that another man at the home tried to put out the fire, but Larsen stabbed the man and fled in a white GMC pickup truck.
Larsen allegedly burned down his own home in Floral City, Florida, before setting off on a violent rampage. (FOX13 Tampa WTVT)
Investigators said Larsen’s mother owned the home that was initially set on fire, along with the neighboring property where the shed was ignited, FOX13 Tampa reported.
The stabbing victim died at the scene, according to authorities. His identity has not been made public, though family members told the station that he was the long-term boyfriend of Larsen’s mother.
Larsen allegedly returned to the scene of the initial fire and set a shed ablaze on a neighboring property before stabbing a man who tried to extinguish the flames. (FOX13 Tampa WTVT)
As investigators searched for Larsen, the sheriff’s office said they found his pickup truck abandoned in a wooded area in Inverness, about a 10-minute drive north of Floral City.
Shortly after the discovery, the sheriff’s office received reports that a man matching Larsen’s description was seen walking in the same neighborhood where the fires and stabbing happened.
Deputies responded and took Larsen into custody without issue.
Larsen is facing multiple felony charges, including arson and first-degree premeditated murder. He may face additional charges as the investigation continues.
Investigators are still working to determine a motive.
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