An early-morning grass fire call in southwest Dallas took a sharp turn into chaos yesterday when a 79-year-old man allegedly hurled a board at firefighters, then reappeared with a rifle and barricaded himself inside his home, according to police.
Dallas police identified the man as Roy Harris. He was arrested on a charge of assault on a public servant, a second-degree felony, and booked into jail on a $10,000 bond. The incident unfolded near the Red Bird neighborhood and turned a routine response into a tense standoff.
What officials said
Firefighters were dispatched around 5:37 a.m. to a report of a grass fire in front of a home in the 2100 block of Garden Crest Lane. When they arrived, a male resident allegedly threw a board that struck one of the firefighters, according to The Dallas Morning News. The outlet cited statements from Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesperson Jason Evans and Dallas Police Department spokesperson Corbin Rubinson.
Officials said the resident then retreated into the home, came back out holding a rifle, and barricaded himself. Officers eventually moved in and took the man into custody. No additional details about the confrontation were immediately released.
Legal implications
Under Texas law, assault on a public servant is treated as a second-degree felony, which can mean two to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, according to the Texas Penal Code. Prosecutors can also factor in whether a deadly weapon was used or exhibited, which can affect the way the case is charged and the punishment range a defendant faces.
What is next
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet said whether the injured firefighter required medical treatment or hospitalization. Officials are still piecing together the sequence of events that turned a grass fire call into a criminal case.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Dallas Police Department. Members of the public can also check custody status and bond information through Dallas County's jail lookup.
