A man is facing multiple felony charges in Oklahoma City after authorities say he threw a Molotov cocktail at a man who was using a wheelchair. Investigators identified the suspect as 38-year-old Alexander James Emery, and the case has drawn attention both for the nature of the attack and for where it happened.
The disturbing encounter was captured on camera and took place right across the street from Oklahoma City Police Headquarters. According to investigators, the incident occurred on July 2, and the footage of what unfolded has since become central to the case against Emery.
In the video, the man in the wheelchair is struck by the Molotov cocktail and catches fire as he tries to get away from the flames. Authorities say the attacker then pushed him back toward the blaze, before help arrived to bring the fire under control and pull the victim to safety.
People nearby raced to assist, and police were only steps away. The video shows detectives parked in the middle of the street, appearing to approach with their guns drawn as they moved to help the victim and take the suspect into custody at the scene.
According to the account laid out by investigators, Emery allegedly told the victim to stop talking to him moments before the attack, repeating the phrase as the confrontation began. The words were cited in the incident report as part of the sequence that preceded the fire.
The July 2 incident report contains further details that investigators say deepened their concerns. Emery is said to have had a second Molotov cocktail with him when he was detained, an officer reported a very strong odor of gasoline, and the report states that he used a German phrase associated with Nazi ideology.
Emery now faces multiple felony charges, including arson, as the case moves through the courts. The victim survived the attack, and authorities have continued to review the footage and the report while the legal process surrounding the charges gets underway.