A seemingly routine eviction took a dangerous turn when an Oklahoma man reportedly unleashed a homemade flamethrower against deputies, with a car-battery device hazardously situated in his apartment. This tense encounter, captured on body-camera footage, reveals the dramatic escalation.
Footage released by the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office shows deputies forcefully entering the dim, disorderly apartment in Oklahoma City on August 11. The occupant, Darron Dunn, 61, had allegedly barricaded the entrance, thwarting initial entry attempts.
Arriving to execute an eviction order around midday, deputies found an obstructed entryway. Housing Authority personnel managed to unlock the door, only to discover impediments like cables and an electric wheelchair positioned strategically behind it.
The Oklahoma County sheriff’s deputies wrestled with these obstacles while serving the eviction notice in the Oklahoma City apartment. (Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office)
Once inside, one deputy spotted Dunn in a bedroom. According to the incident report, Dunn wasted no time in attacking, spraying an aerosol can towards the deputy and a Housing Authority security officer before allegedly setting it ablaze, heightening the chaos of the situation.
The bodycam video showed a bright orange flash as the burst of fire filled the doorway.
“Back up!” an officer can be heard yelling as deputies retreated.
A burst of flames erupts inside the apartment during the eviction response, according to authorities. (Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities said the deputy felt the “extreme heat” from the flames. The sheriff’s office said the fire traveled about 15 feet in the deputy’s direction.
But the flames were only the start.
As deputies backed out, officers spotted a car battery with wires attached near Dunn, and another wired device near the front door. The video captured the growing alarm inside the apartment.
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“He’s got it hooked up to the battery!” one officer shouted.
“Everybody out! Improvised device! Get out!” another could be heard yelling.
Oklahoma County sheriff’s deputies stand inside the apartment while serving an eviction order on Aug. 11, 2026. (Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office)
According to the incident report, the device consisted of rows of butane lighter-fluid and carburetor-cleaner aerosol cans taped together with bare wires attached.
Deputies evacuated residents from the third floor and nearby levels while the sheriff’s tactical team and bomb squad responded.
Officers later disabled the wires connected to the cans and safely removed Dunn from the apartment in his wheelchair, authorities said.
A spokesperson for the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office told News Media that bomb technicians determined the wired aerosol-can device was unlikely to explode as configured. The spokesperson said it could have sparked or heated up if the bare wires touched the car-battery terminal, but technicians did not believe it would detonate.
Dunn was taken to a VA hospital because of medical issues and stress before being placed in a mental hospital, according to the incident report.
Out-of-custody charges were filed against Dunn for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; possessing, using, manufacturing or threatening to use an incendiary device or explosives; and obstructing an officer.
The sheriff’s office spokesperson said evictions can be “so emotionally charged” and deputies sadly see volatile reactions during such calls. The spokesperson said the confrontation came four years after officers were attacked in another similar eviction-related incident.
In a separate eviction call about a year ago, the spokesperson said, a man allegedly tried to set a deputy on fire before setting himself ablaze and dying.