A suspect was taken into custody moments after reportedly hurling a Molotov cocktail at a wheelchair-bound man outside Oklahoma City police headquarters, according to authorities.
Surveillance footage from outside the offices shows the man in a wheelchair crossing the street diagonally around 8 a.m. on July 2. Moments later, another man, identified by authorities as Alexander Emery, was observed crossing the street before returning to approach the victim.
Emery, 38, seemed to light something before reportedly throwing the incendiary device at the man in the wheelchair.
After throwing the device, the victim was briefly enveloped by flames until Emery allegedly moved the wheelchair. Emery charged toward the victim, pushing him and his wheelchair back into the flames. “The victim fell backwards out of his chair and was once again engulfed in flames,” police stated.
A passing vehicle came to a stop, and two people got out. A neighboring Oklahoma City police detective and bystander rescued the victim from the fire, as another officer captured Emery.
According to local media, the victim suffered minor injuries and was treated at a hospital. He is expected to recover.
According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, Emery faces a number of criminal charges, including assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a deadly weapon.
The motivation for the incident has not been revealed.
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