Man tries to set himself on fire at northeast Ohio VA clinic
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Police say a man poured gasoline on himself in the lobby of a northeast Ohio Veterans Affairs clinic but was tackled by a security guard before he could light himself on fire.
The 46-year-old man was charged with felonious assault, inducing panic and criminal damaging after the incident about 8 a.m. today at a VA clinic in Canton. A police captain says the man had previously told VA officials he intended to set himself on fire. He had a lighter in his hand when he was tackled.
The clinic closed today after the incident. A VA spokeswoman said the man was not a patient at the clinic.
The police captain says the man, who said he had post-traumatic stress disorder, will be evaluated at a mental health facility.