An Oklahoma man armed with a flamethrower blasted flames at law enforcement officers as they tried to enter his barricaded apartment during an eviction, according to startling bodycam video.
Darron Dunn, 61, was arrested after allegedly using a homemade flamethrower against a deputy who had arrived to serve an eviction order at his Oklahoma City apartment earlier this month, the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office said.
The dramatic footage shows a fireball suddenly bursting from a bedroom, with towering flames shooting about 15 feet in the direction of the officer.
Authorities said the apartment also appeared to contain another improvised “explosive device,” including a car battery wired to a device near the front door, along with multiple aerosol cans taped together and connected with wires.
No injuries were reported, but Dunn was taken into custody and charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon, possession of an incendiary device or explosives and obstructing an officer.
The incident unfolded shortly before noon on August 11, when deputies went to Dunn’s apartment on South Harvey Avenue, near Southwest 22nd Street and Robinson Avenue, to carry out the eviction notice.
Dunn refused to leave or give up the apartment, prompting housing authority staff to unlock the door so officers could move in.
Bodycam video released Wednesday shows a housing authority security officer repeatedly ramming his body into the unlocked door, which had been barricaded from the inside, while at least four deputies in full gear stood behind him.
Darron Dunn, 61, of Oklahoma City, allegedly pulled out a flamethrower and fired at police as officers forced their way into his apartment during an eviction earlier this month
Dunn was arrested after police said he used a homemade flamethrower on a deputy, with bodycam footage showing massive flames shooting through the bedroom and around 15 feet toward the officer
Inside, police found what they believed was another makeshift ‘explosive device’ – a car battery wired to a device near the front door – and aerosol cans taped together and strung with wires
After breaking down the door, deputies stepped into the dark, box-filled unit, using their flashlights to inch toward a pitch-black doorway leading to the bedroom.
Through the beam of a flashlight, Dunn can be seen spraying what appears to be an aerosol can while holding up a lighter, creating a makeshift flamethrower that sent a burst of fire racing through the doorway just seconds later.
‘Back out! Back out! Back out!’ officers can be heard shouting as they scrambled backward into the hallway.
As Dunn refused to drop the aerosol can despite repeated orders, one officer can be heard pointing toward something near the refrigerator and warning: ‘Watch that right there, he’s got that hooked up to a battery.’
‘S***!’ another officer immediately responded.
In front of Dunn, a car battery sat on a table with wires snaking across the apartment into the living room, where they connected to a device near the front door, according to WJCL News.
The one-minute video ended with deputies scrambling out of the unit, where they spotted ‘two rows of different types of aerosol cans taped together with wires that went into it.’
The department’s Tactical Team and Bomb Squad were brought in moments later, safely disabling the device at the scene and removing it from the apartment complex, police said.
Bodycam footage released Wednesday shows a housing authority security officer repeatedly throwing his weight against the unlocked door, which had been barricaded from inside
After breaking down the door, deputies stepped into the dark, box-filled unit, using their flashlights to inch toward another doorway leading to the bedroom
Dunn can be seen spraying what appears to be an aerosol can while holding up a lighter, creating a makeshift flamethrower that sent a burst of fire through the doorway
Dunn was later arrested and charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon, possession of an incendiary device or explosives and obstructing an officer
Dunn was detained and taken to a Veterans Affairs hospital for medical issues and stress, according to WJCL, before later being transferred to a psychiatric facility.
He was later arrested and charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon, possession of an incendiary device or explosives and obstructing an officer.
Video released by the sheriff’s office, however, does not show how deputies ultimately arrested Dunn. It also remains unclear what prompted the eviction order.
Our News Outlet has reached out to the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
