Two firefighters assaulted at Linwood Township fire
LINWOOD, Minn. (KMSP) - The Anoka County Sheriff's Office is investigating after two firefighters were assaulted while responding to a fire in Linwood, according to Commander Paul Sommer with the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.
Sommer says Linwood firefighters responded to a report of an RV fire at 5900 block of 213th Ave NE in Linwood Township. After they put the fire out a man, identified as 39-year-old Jon Vernon Tuma, attacked the firefighters, hitting them with blunt objects. Authorities believe Tuma may have used bookends or knickknacks to injure the firefighters. Tuma hit the responders in the head and face. One firefighter was more seriously injured than the other. They received treatment at Fairview Hospital in Wyoming.
"From there, [Tuma's] behavior just kind of deteriorated," said Sommer.
Tuma went back into the home and then set the house on fire. While the fire spread, he armed himself with a knife and got onto the roof, continuing to act erratically.
"So now we’re not only responding to an assault, but now we’ve got this added component that we’ve got this person whose life is in danger, albeit to their own behavior, but that still becomes the priority," said Sommer.
Anoka County Sheriff's Office used some bean bag rounds to attempt to gain control of Tuma. He dropped his knife, but stayed on the roof while the fire still raged. Tuma later jumped off the roof and authorities captured him.
Crews took Tuma to a hospital for evaluation. He will be booked at Anoka County Jail on suspicion of assault and arson.
Authorities believe the home is owned by a relative of Tuma's, but that he had been living there.
Charges are pending.