WEST PALM BEACH, FL– A 45-year-old who has been diagnosed with schizophrenic, bipolar, and aggressive psychotic disease has been arrested after he allegedly set an occupied home on fire.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at a residence in Palm Beach County.
Officials responded to the home around 6:30 p.m. after receiving several calls that a resident Jose Alvaro Blandon, was having a psychotic episode and threatening family members.
The caller told police that Blandon broke a gas line to the home’s hot water heater in an effort to fill the home with gas so he could set the home on fire.
The caller also reported that they were inside the home with two children.
When officials arrived, they attempted to get Blandon to come outside of the home on his own, but he refused to do so.
Authorities then chose to enter the home after they smelled smoke and saw Blandon at a window, holding something that was on fire.
When authorities entered the home, they realized that Blandon had armed himself with two knives and locked himself in the room.
Authorities were able to breach the door and deployed a stun gun to subdue Blandon.
He has been charged with first-degree arson, resisting arrest with violence, domestic battery, attempted murder of law enforcement, and eight counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon.