Man charged with attempted murder after allegedly setting officer on fire in Pulaski County

PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – The Pulaski County Sheriff says a man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly setting an officer on fire with gasoline during a domestic violence incident on Oct. 9.

The sheriff said that deputies arrived at a home on the 500 block of Church Street to assist the Dublin Police Department with a domestic violence call. At the scene, a witness claimed that a man inside the home had attempted to assault a woman with a baseball bat.

Officers proceeded to enter the home and encountered the man at the top of the basement stairs with a can of gasoline.

According to the sheriff, the man allegedly proceeded to pour gas onto the floor and onto the Dublin Police Officer, then set it on fire.

The gasoline immediately ignited both that area of the home and the police officer. Another Dublin officer and a Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy quickly extinguished the burning officer.

Moments after being burned, the officer resumed duty and assisted the woman out of the home safely.

The suspect was identified as 30-year-old Dakota Lewis Sirt of Dublin. He has been arrested and charged with the following:

• Attempted aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer
• Two counts of attempted aggravated malicious wounding
• Two counts of assault on an occupied dwelling

Sirt is currently being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail.

The Dublin Police Officer who was injured was taken to the hospital for treatment for severe burns. Three Pulaski County Deputies were also evaluated. All officers have since been released.

“We would like to thank Pulaski County Public Safety, Dublin Fire Department, Newbern Fire Department, and Virginia State Police for their assistance.

The investigation is ongoing; however, no further information is available at this time.

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