ARLINGTON, Virginia – A home in Arlington was reduced to ashes in a massive explosion after a suspect inside set off flares and fired at a SWAT team during a tense standoff. The shocking incident, captured on video, shows the house erupting in flames and debris flying in all directions while a SWAT vehicle is parked outside. SWAT team members were preparing to serve a search warrant at the residence when the incident occurred.
Neighbors reported that the suspect inside the home fired a flare before the explosion, although the motive remains unclear. Multiple rounds were also reportedly fired from a weapon, prompting a call to the police, who quickly arrived at the scene.
SWAT teams then arrived shortly after the police and were preparing to enter the duplex when the suspect opened fire on them, causing a massive explosion that engulfed the property in flames and sent debris flying.
Fortunately, the police did not suffer any serious injuries. However, the suspect, James Yoo, 56, is believed to be dead. According to the police, he was the only one in the home. After the fires were put out, the police located what they believed were his remains. A joint investigation with the FBI is underway to determine how the explosion occurred.
The explosion resembled a scene from an action movie, according to eyewitnesses. The standoff with the suspect occurred in Arlington, a suburb of Washington, D. Police tweeted about arriving at North Burlington Street after 8 p.m. to execute a search warrant.
The police reported that Yoo shot 30 to 40 flares from inside his residence into the surrounding neighborhood. Multiple rounds were discharged from the suspect’s weapon as well. Before the house exploded, authorities attempted to make contact with the suspect.
A loud explosion was heard by locals around 8:30 p.m., with the blast shaking houses miles away. Firefighters were able to bring the ensuing fire under control by 10:40 p.m., but spot fires continued to burn. Officials were unable to enter the home to confirm if there were any fatalities.
Law enforcement was also unable to determine if the suspect was alone in the residence at the time of the incident. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to unravel the circumstances surrounding the explosion.