A 38-year-old Oklahoma man is accused of hurling a Molotov cocktail at a stranger in a wheelchair before attempting to shove the victim back into the flames in an attack that unfolded directly across the street from Oklahoma City police headquarters, authorities said.
Background
The violence occurred July 2 near West Main Street and North Lee Avenue as the victim crossed the street in his wheelchair. Police said Alexander Emery threw the homemade incendiary device at the man, causing it to explode on impact and ignite a fire around him. According to investigators, surveillance footage shows the victim wheeling himself out of the flames before Emery rushed toward him and tried to push him back into the burning area.
During the struggle, the victim appeared to tip over backward in his wheelchair, landing temporarily in the flames. The attack ended almost as quickly as it began when detectives responding from nearby police headquarters intervened. One officer and a civilian bystander ran into the fire to pull the victim to safety while another detective took Emery into custody at gunpoint, according to the Oklahoma City Police Department.
The Oklahoma City Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services Authority treated the victim at the scene. Authorities said he is expected to recover from his injuries.
The Charges
Emery was arrested at the scene and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on multiple felony charges, including assault with intent to kill, first-degree arson, and assault and battery with a deadly weapon. Court records show he also faces one count each of injuring another person through the use of an explosive device, manufacturing an explosive device, and possessing or using an incendiary device.
Investigators later said Emery admitted he selected his victim at random before carrying out the attack, according to a report from local ABC affiliate KOCO. The department praised detectives, firefighters, and the civilian who intervened for preventing what could have been a fatality. "What happened next showed the absolute best of our community and our first responders," police wrote in announcing the arrest.
Key Takeaways
- Attack occurred directly across from Oklahoma City Police Department headquarters on July 2
- Victim was a stranger in a wheelchair targeted randomly, according to investigators
- Surveillance footage shows Emery throwing the Molotov cocktail and then attempting to push the victim back into flames
- One officer and a bystander pulled the victim from the fire as another detective took Emery into custody at gunpoint
- Victim is expected to recover after being treated by OCFD and EMSA at the scene
What's Next
Emery remains held in the Oklahoma County Detention Center on $200,000 bond. Court records did not immediately indicate when he was scheduled to appear before a judge for formal arraignment.