Arson Investigaiton in El Cajon

May 06, 2022

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Arson Investigation in El Cajon

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 1282 Redwood Avenue El Cajon, CA

RESUME OF INCIDENT:

On 05/06/22, Court Services Deputies with the San Diego County Sherriff's Office attempted to serve a family-initiated eviction on the resident who lived at the Redwood address with an adult female girlfriend. Upon arrival, the deputies identified themselves as law enforcement.

After receiving no answer at the door, the deputies continued with the eviction by attempting to enter the residence. When attempting to open the front door, the deputies discovered it had been barricaded from the inside. At that time, several incendiary devices with what appeared to be a flammable liquid were thrown in the direction of the deputies, immediately engulfing the structure in flames.

As the structure continued to burn, an adult female believed to be the suspect's girlfriend escaped the building through a window and was taken to safety. The woman, who suffered moderate burns, confirmed the suspect was still inside the residence.

At that time, officers from the El Cajon Police Department, firefighters and medics from Heartland Fire and Rescue, and San Miguel Fire Protection Unit, and the Bomb/Arson Unit of the San Diego County Sherriff's office all responded to the scene.

After the fire was extinguished and the scene rendered safe to approach, El Cajon Police Officers were able to conduct a visual search of the completely burned structure. Officers discovered the burned remains of an individual in a bathroom of the residence. The identity of that person has not been determined at this time, pending a forensic examination. Other than the male suspect, no other persons were believed to be inside the residence when it was burned. El Cajon Police is not looking for any outstanding suspects and there is no threat to the public at this time.

No public safety personnel were injured during this incident. The residence at 1282 Redwood Avenue was determined to be a total loss. No neighboring structures or property were damaged by the fire.

The adult female resident who was able to escape the flames is being treated at a local trauma center with non-life-threatening, moderate burns. She is described as an adult female in her 60's and is from El Cajon. The male suspect in this case, an El Cajon resident, is described as an adult male in his 60's. The identity of the suspect in this case is not being released at this time pending the investigation of this case and notification of next-of-kin, if necessary.

The El Cajon Police Department would like to thank the firefighters and paramedics from both Heartland Fire and Rescue and the San Miguel Fire Protection District, deputies from the San Diego County Sherriff's Office, as well as San Diego Gas and Electric. This rapidly evolving incident was a testament to the collaborative relationships that have been built between public safety agencies to better protect and serve our communities. By working together, the scene was quickly stabilized without further threat to the surrounding neighborhood.

The El Cajon Police Department is asking that anyone with information regarding these incidents to call the El Cajon Police Department at
(619) 579-3311 or San Diego Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or on-line at SDCRIMESTOPPERS.ORG.

PREPARED BY: Lt. Randy Soulard

DIVISION: Public Information Officer

DATE AND TIME: 05/06/22 @ 4:00pm

REVIEWED BY: Captain Royal Bates

Michael Moulton, Chief of Police

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