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PAROWAN, Iron County — A man is in critical condition after he allegedly assaulted two strangers and later doused himself and responding officers in gasoline Saturday, Parowan police said.
Parowan police and Iron County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to an aggravated assault near the 600 West block of Center Street. Police said the man ran into the street in front of a car and forced a vehicle to stop. They said he then began to strike the body of the car, the front windshield and two side windows of the car with a baseball bat.
The broken glass from the assault injured the two occupants of the vehicle, the release says. The two occupants were able to leave and get to safety.
It was reported by a bystander that the man also left the scene and entered an apartment. Officers immediately responded to the location to set up a containment.
Officers attempted to contact the man but were unable to get a response. After police obtained a search warrant to enter the home, they once again attempted to make contact with the man.
When he didn't respond, officers entered the residence to find it empty. Police then searched the property where they located the man in a wooden shed in the backyard where they ordered him to surrender, the release says.
The man verbally refused and began to pour gasoline on himself and the ground inside the shed, police said. Police ordered the man to surrender and he again refused. Two officers attempted to open the shed door before the man could harm himself, but he began to pour gas on the doorway and the officers, the release says.
Officers then backed away from the shed as the man attempted to light the gasoline with a lighter, the release says. When the two officers backed away flames could be seen coming from inside the shed and officers began to locate water hoses and fire extinguishers.
Moments after the fire began, the man came out of the shed and fell to the ground, according to police. The officers began to provide medical aid to the man until the ambulance arrived.
The man was transported to the Cedar City hospital in critical condition. The two occupants of the car also received treatment for the injuries sustained in the assault, according to the release.
An investigation into what led to the incident is ongoing. The man's identity was not released.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Crisis Hotlines
- Utah County Crisis Line: 801-226-4433
- Salt Lake County/UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373-7393
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386
Online resources
- NAMI Utah: namiut.org
- Utah Chapter-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org/chapter/afsp-utah/
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
