ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — The suspect who fired at officers from a duplex in an Arlington, Virginia, neighborhood earlier than the home exploded on Monday night time is presumed useless, based on authorities.
Fifty-six-year-old James Yoo was recognized by Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn at a press convention Tuesday because the the proprietor of the duplex and the individual whose actions introduced them to the home after firing a “flare-type gun” from inside the home greater than 30 instances. Penn mentioned police responded to the home at about 4:45 p.m. Monday after studies of pictures fired. After makes an attempt to speak with Yoo have been unsuccessful, police obtained a search warrant.
As officers tried to enter the home, a number of gunshots have been fired from inside the home, Penn mentioned. Soon after, the home exploded, Penn mentioned.
The officers escaped critical damage but it surely was unclear what occurred to the suspect who was inside when the building was leveled, Arlington County, Virginia, police spokesperson Ashley Savage mentioned.
Officers went to the home about 4:45 p.m. after receiving studies of pictures fired. The preliminary investigation confirmed {that a} suspect discharged the flare gun from inside his home, however no property injury or accidents have been reported, police mentioned in an announcement.
While police investigated, they obtained a search warrant for the home and tried to make contact with the suspect by phone and loudspeakers, however he remained inside with out responding, police mentioned.
As officers tried to execute the warrant, police mentioned the suspect discharged a number of rounds from what’s believed to be a firearm contained in the home and round 8:30 p.m. there was an explosion, capturing flames and particles into the air. An investigation into the circumstances of the explosion is ongoing, police mentioned.
Three officers reported minor accidents in the home explosion, however nobody was taken to the hospital. Savage mentioned police don’t have any proof that others have been within the duplex however can’t rule out the chance.
On Tuesday, officers sporting ATF jackets combed a close-by road wanting via papers scattered within the particles subject. Junk mail carrying the identify and handle of the home that exploded have been seen on the road.
The White House was monitoring developments with the home explosion, a spokeswoman mentioned.
“Our thoughts are with the police officers that were injured in that explosion,” Olivia Dalton, the White House principal deputy press secretary, advised reporters on Air Force One on Tuesday. “We’re grateful to law enforcement that handled that situation very swiftly. I can tell you the ATF is assisting with the local law enforcement investigation into that matter but beyond that I would just refer you to Arlington Police Department.”
Carla Rodriguez of South Arlington mentioned she may hear the explosion greater than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away and got here to the scene however police stored onlookers blocks away.
“I actually thought a plane exploded,” she mentioned.
Bob Maynes thought possibly a tree had fallen on his home when he heard the explosion.
“I was sitting in my living room watching television and the whole house shook,” Maynes mentioned. “It wasn’t an earthquake kind of tremor, but the whole house shook.”
Arlington is positioned throughout the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The explosion occurred in Bluemont, a neighborhood in north Arlington the place lots of the houses are duplexes.
Fire officers have no idea the reason for the explosion, mentioned Capt. Nate Hiner, a spokesperson for the Arlington Fire Department.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives mentioned federal brokers and federal hearth investigators have been on the scene and aiding within the investigation.
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Associated Press reporter Ben Finley contributed from Norfolk and reporter Darlene Superville contributed from Air Force One.
