OKLAHOMA CITY (TCD) — An elderly man has died after reportedly lighting himself on fire during an eviction this week.
According to an April 1 news release from the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, two deputies served an eviction notice for an elderly couple at a home on Flamingo Avenue. Sheriff Tommie Johnson III said one of the deputies had been working with the residents to find them housing and secured an extended-stay facility. An Uber was reportedly waiting out front to take the couple.
When deputies first entered the home, they were met by 82-year-old Anthony Goulding’s wife in the living room. She suffers from Parkinson’s disease and has limited mobility, according to Johnson.
The deputies then observed Goulding pouring gasoline on the floor in front of himself. A deputy tackled Goulding, and then he allegedly pulled out a lighter and lit himself on fire before throwing a gas can at one of the deputies, “briefly setting her on fire as well.” The sheriff’s office released body camera footage of the incident.
The deputies went back to the living room and pulled the woman out of the home and to safety. Johnson said one of the deputies attempted to go back into the residence to save Goulding, but the house was overtaken by flames and smoke, preventing her from doing so.
Johnson said, “We know that serving eviction notices can be dangerous.” He mentioned that just two years ago, a deputy was killed and another injured “when they were ambushed while serving eviction papers.”
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