It's everywhere. He's lighting the whole thing. >> When deputies arrive to serve an eviction notice at one man's home, what follows is unlike anything they could have anticipated. In January of 2026, deputies from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office are dispatched to carry out a court-ordered eviction at a duplex in Thurston County, Washington. >> Someone just got mad AT ME. >> SHERIFF'S OFFICE. HERE FOR THE EVICTION. >> You can't be here. >> On his door it says court orders don't apply to Trump or me. >> With no answer at the door, deputies prepare to enter the home to carry out the eviction. But before they can, there's one concern they can't ignore. >> Well, we're going to have to deal with that dog. >> The dog just peeked his head in the corner of the window there. Did you see it? >> Yeah. >> Oh. >> It's a large pitbull. >> Oh, boy. >> Deputies approach a neighbor to ask about the man they're there to evict, 56-year-old Brian Helton. Since Brian no longer has a car, the neighbor isn't sure if he's home. The deputies then ask about the dog on the property. >> Is it Is it nice? Or is he going to bite us? >> Uh he's okay. >> He's okay? >> to jump. >> He likes to jump, but he won't bite? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Unable to gain entry with the landlord's key, they attempt to force the front door open and secure the dog. >> Oh. >> After several unsuccessful kicks, they back away to reassess. That's when one deputy makes a crucial observation. >> If that dog is not sitting here barking at us, he's obviously in there. >> Brian, this is the Thurston County Sheriff's Office. I need you to exit the residence with nothing in your hands. >> Deputies repeatedly attempt to reach Brian by phone, hoping to convince him to leave peacefully, but get no answer. >> Brian, Sheriff's Office. Need to come to the front door. Here for an eviction. >> Soon after, Brian calls the deputy back from inside the house. As the conversation unfolds, it becomes apparent that his intentions may be taking a dark turn. >> Can I talk to animal services? >> They're right here. >> Are you still there? >> So, he's actually a really good dog. >> Mhm. >> Don't be fooled by his breed. >> Sure. What's his name? >> His name is Bucho. >> His Bucho? >> Bucho. >> Okay, got you. >> They're coming up with a plan of what to do with Bucho, the pitbull. >> The deputies have reason to be concerned. According to police reports in the lead up to the eviction, Brian's landlord received photos from him showing a hatchet and several knives embedded in a wall, along with the message, "You with the wrong person." Police records also reference a 2024 call in which he threatened by cop, along with a prior conviction for assaulting a law enforcement officer. >> Who? >> Tom. >> Tom? >> Landlord. >> He's down the way, but he's not right out front here. Well, >> All right, well, I think the dog is pretty friendly. >> Approximately 5 minutes pass before deputies finally see a sign of hope at the garage. >> Well, garage is coming open. Garage is coming open. Dog's out. Puppy, come on. Garage is shut. >> After a brief chase through the neighborhood, animal services captures Bucho. With the dog out of harm's way, deputies hope the standoff is nearing a peaceful conclusion, completely unaware of the danger they're about to face. >> This is why you never rent. Oh, the blinds are open. >> Oh, he's right I see him walking. [snorts] >> Yeah. >> Got a white hoodie on. Oh, there's a fire. There's a fire. Hands His hands are up. His hands are up. Oh, he's got his middle fingers. It's everywhere. He's lighting the whole thing. >> I'm going to want 10-13. He just set his whole apartment on fire. >> As the house continues to burn, deputies call the fire department and evacuate the neighboring unit of the attached duplex. Meanwhile, those remaining can only wait, uncertain whether Brian intends to surrender, fight, or simply let the flames consume him. >> Brian, Brian! GET OUT OF THE ROOM! >> THERE HE IS. >> HANDS! >> Hands up! Hands up! >> When Brian finally emerges through the smoke, they hope it's the surrender, but he quickly makes it clear this standoff is far from over. >> 40 40 40 40 40 him. 40 him. GET ON THE GROUND! >> HIT HIM. HIT HIM. >> I'VE GOT HIM THREE 340 so far. He's got a machete in his hand. He's got a machete. He's walking away. >> With Brian now in the backyard, deputies position themselves along the side of the house and try to negotiate with him while he uses a tree for cover. >> Brian, it's okay. Please drop the machete. We don't have to do it this way, Brian. I don't want to. I don't want to, Brian. I don't. I don't. Brian, we >> He's behind a tree right now. He's not visual. He's talking. >> This is not over for you, Brian. It >> is not. >> It is. >> Just cuz that house is done doesn't mean you are. >> Situation over. >> Radio 1.59 for info, trees are now starting to light on fire as well. >> As the fire jumps to nearby trees, the urgency of the situation continues to deepen. At the same time, a second group of deputies takes position on the opposite side of the house, cutting off Brian's escape. >> [sighs and gasps] >> It's hard to see. >> A lone deputy quietly maneuvers into position out of Brian's view. >> If he comes to this side of the tree, I'm going to taser him. >> Talk to me, please. >> No. Yeah. >> You going to need to taser him? >> Yeah. Yeah, taser him. Taser him. >> Drop it. Drop it. Taste good, taser. >> Drop it. Drop it. >> Drop it. Drop it, Brian. >> Taser. Taser. Taser. It's not working, though. >> Drop the taser, Brian. >> Another taser. >> I want you to drop the machete. >> Do it now. Come on, brother. Come on, Brian. Come on, we're going to do it this way. >> I'll switch you. >> The repeated barrage of 40-mm rounds, along with the threat of more to come, appears to take its toll on Brian. >> I can't feel my legs now. >> The battery's not working. >> I forgot. >> Does anybody else have a taser? >> No. >> Yeah, I knew it. Here, take it. >> There you go. >> GO. GO. GO. HANDS >> ON YOUR STOMACH. >> ONE PERSON FOR COMMAND. >> On your stomach. >> Fire. >> Stop, Brian. >> Just those hands >> On your stomach. >> Okay, go ahead. Ready, go ahead. >> Okay. Put your hands behind YOUR BACK. HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK. >> YEAH. COME ON, MAN. REALLY? YOU GOT TO BE ON MY HEAD? >> Stop that. You're good. >> You got to be on my head? Watch, hey. Off the side. Off the side. >> With the flames devouring the house just feet away, deputies are forced to make another quick decision. >> It's too hot. Pull him out. Get Ryan. Get fire up here. >> I got it. >> PULL HIM BACK. >> ONCE everyone is safely away from the flames and Brian is fully detained, firefighters move in to battle the raging house fire. Deputies then place Brian on a stretcher and transport him toward a waiting ambulance. >> He's all cut up. We don't know what from. Carter, will you evaluate him >> from non-deadly shots. >> According to police records, Brian was transported to the hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and injury sustained during the confrontation. Investigators recovered the machete, the wooden club, and two cigarette lighters from the scene. The fire leaves the duplex a total loss. Online real estate records valued the property at approximately $450,000. >> I feel bad for the prom the homeowner. >> Ooh. >> He's right over there. >> He inside when it lit? >> Yeah. >> He was going to kill you. >> Yeah. >> Arson. >> According to court documents, 56-year-old Brian Hilton was charged with first-degree arson and first-degree malicious mischief. The case is ongoing. Get less restricted content and an unfiltered look at our cases. For extended coverage, join us on Spotify and see what you've been missing.