On December 10, 2016, shortly before 9:30 a.m. officers from Operations Division West responded to a 911 call reporting a domestic violence situation at an apartment at 3700 N. 1st Ave. Prior to arrival, officers learned there was an argument between the suspect, an adult male and an adult female. The suspect was armed with a BB gun that he already fired and had access to knives. They were also advised the suspect had an outstanding felony arrest warrant for a drug related offense.
Upon arrival, officers located the female uninjured in the parking lot. Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect who was standing outside of the apartment, but the suspect retreated to the inside of the apartment and refused multiple requests to come outside. Additional officers were called and responded to the scene. While inside the apartment, the suspect started a fire.
Neighboring apartments were evacuated and N. 1st Ave. north of Prince was closed down for safety. Members from the Tucson Fire Department responded to the scene and with the assistance of the officers were able to put out the fire.
Members from the Special Operations Section, to include Hostage Negotiators also responded to assist. Negotiators spoke with the suspect for several hours but he refused to exit his apartment. Officers believed the suspect had broken through a common wall inside the apartment and made entry into a neighboring apartment. The officers went inside the neighboring apartment and noticed a large hole. Officers continued to communicate with the male but he ignored their requests to comply. The suspect attempted to start another fire but was unsuccessful. Around 1:15 p.m. additional officers entered thesuspect’s apartment and took him into custody. The suspect was transported to Banner University Medical Center for evaluation.
On December 11, 2016 James A. Olson was released from the hospital and arrested on two counts of Arson of an Occupied Structure, 2 counts of Aggravated Assault, Misconduct Involving Weapons – Prohibited Possessor and an outstanding felony warrant for Failure to Appear for Possession of a Dangerous Drug for Sale.