Suicidal Arlington man douses himself in gas, catches on fire

Attorney Pete Schulte, a reserve deputy and former police officer, said that the taser manufacturer includes a warning not to use it around flammable substances.

He also says increased scrutiny of how officers interact with people in potentially dangerous situations may have been a factor here.

“I have seen over the last few months a lot of officers take a hands-off approach. Where they can avoid using physical approach and a lot of times that is with a taser. Deploy a taser, incapacitate and take into custody,” Schulte said. “A lot of situations that is not appropriate this was one of them.”

The man is being treated for his burns. The three officers in the room were taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. Police says they have made other calls to the house before.