Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Laurel Resident Charged With Arson After Police Move to Serve Mental-Health Petition

Officials say the fire started as officers arrived to execute an emergency petition for psychiatric evaluation.

Overview

  • Prince George's County authorities charged a man with first-degree arson, reckless endangerment and malicious destruction of property after a Sunday night apartment fire in Laurel.
  • Officials identified the suspect as Floyd Rich V, who was transported from the scene with non-life-threatening injuries; one other resident was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
  • Fire crews were dispatched just before 9 p.m. to the 9500 block of Muirkirk Road and found flames showing from a third-floor unit before extinguishing the blaze.
  • Police say the response followed earlier calls, including a 2:35 p.m. report that a man threw a dog and items from a third-floor balcony; the dog was not injured.
  • Officers spent two hours earlier trying to contact the suspect and advised a female resident by phone on obtaining an emergency petition for service, which she secured before officers returned to serve it; the Red Cross assisted displaced residents as the investigation continues.