A Stockton man was charged with murder after allegedly catching a probation officer on fire, which left the official with huge burns.
Authorities said the suspect entered the San Joaquin County Adult Probation Office in Stockton with a lighter and gasoline canister at 2:10 p.m. Thursday.
Security personnel from the department activated the emergency alarm when the man arrived, but it is not clear what prompted the defender’s action.
Officials said triggering an alarm will bring probation officers to the office. Once there, they faced and tried to detain the suspects, who took them to a nearby parking lot, and a struggle ensued.
The department wrote in a Facebook article that during the argument, the suspects were able to light fuel and caught fire on one of the probation officers.
The probation department did not respond to the New York Times request for comment.
Officials were able to put out the flames and put on the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Adam Lopez.
Records show Lopez was under post-release community supervision with felony possession of a firearm.
The department said probation officer suffered major burns in his arm and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The officer was then taken to UC Davis Medical Center to further treat his injuries, which was not life-threatening. Stephanie Post, a public information official at the Department of Probation, said he was still recovering from a medical facility as of Friday night.
Authorities said Lopez was also injured and was taken to the hospital for treatment. His injuries are not considered life-threatening either.
Lopez was booked at the San Joaquin County Jail and charged with attempted murder, obstructing officers and arson cases, according to the department.
He plans to be arraigned Monday afternoon.
