A Fort Wayne man involved in a domestic dispute that sent six people to the hospital over the weekend has been charged with seven felonies.
Justin D. Pease, 31, was charged Tuesday with one count of burglary resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of arson resulting in serious bodily injury, two counts of arson resulting in bodily injury, one count of arson damage by fire, one count of battery by means of deadly weapon and one count of criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon.
The Fort Wayne Police Department say Pease went to his girlfriend’s house on the corner of St. Mary’s and Margaret Avenue early Saturday morning. He broke in the house by breaking a glass door.
After he broke in, police say he stabbed two people. Then he locked himself in an upstairs room and started a fire when he heard police sirens.
Three police officers entered the home because they thought Pease had a hostage. Once inside, officers found a woman in a room and got her out. Officers kicked in the door of the room Pease was in and pulled him out.
During the process, all officers were exposed to smoke inhalation and later sent to a hospital.
A Fort Wayne Police Department Officer Boyce Ballenger is still in the hospital and is listed in serious condition for smoke inhalation.
Pease is also listed in critical condition. He is suffering from smoke inhalation and a self-inflicted stab wound.
The two people stabbed were also hospitalized.
