Washington Man Set Off Fireworks In Home, Arrested After Standoff: Deputies

A Washington man allegedly set off fireworks inside his home as deputies tried to arrest him, according to KATU.

It all started just before midnight on March 14. Cowlitz County Sheriff's deputies said they responded to reports of a road rage incident. A man driving a blue Ford Ranger allegedly cut off a car and caused a crash on Interstate-5 near Lexington, authorities learned.

The suspect then got out of his truck, pointed a pistol at the people inside the other car and fire shots into a wooded area nearby, according to the sheriff's office. The driver of the second vehicle recognized the suspect as 41-year-old John Threlfall. Deputies also confirmed Threlfall was the registered owner of the truck.

Come March 17, several 911 calls came in from residents on Hometown Drive. Deputies got reports that Threlfall was armed with a rifle and actively firing shots outside his home.

"Deputies responded to the scene and witnessed Threlfall retreat inside the home, where he then detonated multiple explosives, believed to be fireworks mortars, inside the home," CCSO wrote. "Threlfall ignored commands and fired additional gunshots while deputies were on scene."

The Lower Columbia SWAT team was called in, and nearby homes were evacuated as Threlfall's home "became fully engulfed in flames," deputies wrote. SWAT deployed chemical munitions and later found the suspect hiding under a canopy in the backyard of the home.

Threlfall was taken into custody. Fire crews then responded to the scene, but the house and vehicle in the driveway were reportedly destroyed in the fire.

Threlfall was booked into Cowlitz County Jail on these charges: first-degree arson, aiming or discharging firearms/dangerous weapons, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of second-degree assault, drive by shooting and hit-and-run.

Photo: Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office