A 37-year-old man, William Michael Larsen, was arrested after allegedly setting his own home on fire, returning hours later to ignite a shed and stabbing to death a man who tried to stop the second blaze. Deputies first responded just after midnight and returned at 6:13 a.m. for the second fire. Larsen fled in a white GMC pickup, which was later found abandoned in Inverness; he was captured without incident. He now faces arson and first-degree premeditated murder charges while investigators probe a motive.
Florida Man Arrested After Burning Home, Returning To Ignite Second Blaze And Fatally Stabbing Man
Florida man arrested after allegedly burning his own home, killing man who tried to stop second blaze
A 37-year-old Florida man was arrested after authorities say he set his own house on fire, returned hours later to ignite a nearby shed and fatally stabbed a man who tried to stop the second blaze, officials said.
William Michael Larsen, 37, was arrested Tuesday after an hourslong manhunt in the Floral City area, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said.(Fox News)
"It was an all-hands-on-deck approach," Citrus County Sheriff David Vincent said.
Police identified the suspect as William Michael Larsen. Deputies located and questioned Larsen after responding to the first house fire just after midnight on a quiet street in Floral City, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office said. He was not at the scene when officers initially arrived.
Larsen allegedly burned down his own home in Floral City, Florida, before setting off on a violent rampage.
Timeline Of Events
At 6:13 a.m., deputies received a second call reporting that Larsen had returned to the same street and set fire to a shed on a neighboring property, officials said. Witnesses reported that another man at the home tried to extinguish the shed fire; Larsen allegedly stabbed that man, who later died at the scene.
Larsen allegedly returned to the scene of the initial fire and set a shed ablaze on a neighboring property before stabbing a man who tried to extinguish the flames.
Investigators told local media that both properties involved were owned by Larsen's mother, and family members said the deceased was his mother’s long-term boyfriend. Authorities have not publicly released the victim's identity.
Search, Arrest And Charges
Deputies later found a white GMC pickup truck linked to Larsen abandoned in a wooded area in Inverness, about a 10-minute drive north of Floral City. Shortly afterward, officers received reports of a man matching Larsen's description walking in the neighborhood where the incidents occurred. Deputies took Larsen into custody without incident.
Larsen faces multiple felony charges, including arson and first-degree premeditated murder, and may face additional charges as the investigation continues. Authorities said they are still working to determine a motive.
Readers should note: This account is based on law enforcement statements and ongoing investigation; some details may change as officials release more information.
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