onedef92
07-11-2012, 10:27am
Police: Man tries to set himself on fire after being fired from job
UPDATED 11:15 PM EDT Jul 10, 2012
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - An employee at Raytheon Missile Systems has been accused of trying to set himself on fire just hours after being fired.
Police reports said James Woolbright had 10 gallons of gasoline near the front door in the parking lot.
There were no serious injuries because authorities said Woolbright never was able to ignite himself.
It was still a very dangerous situation that could have easily ended a lot worse than it did.
"This was a thought-out plan. He went and purchased the containers at one store, went to another gas station and purchased the gasoline, then returned to his former place of business," said Maj. Henry Ott with the Louisville Fire Department.
Raytheon Missle Systems builds weapons systems for customers like the United States Navy.
"There was approximately three to four gallons of gasoline on the ground. The victim was saturated in gasoline," said Ott.
According to Ott, that might have been one of two reasons Woolbright was not successful.
"He poured so much gasoline on himself his lighter got wet and wouldn't strike, or two, he was in too much of a vapor. The fuel-to-air ratio was too high and it wouldn't ignite," said Ott.
Ott said employees of Raytheon noticed their old coworker's erratic behavior and took action.
Police reports said a security guard was injured by Woolbright's lighter while tackling him, taking four stitches to his left hand.
Fire investigators said Woolbright was fired for general repetitive behavior.
Raytheon would not confirm that, issuing statement instead that said, "We had an incident involving one of our employees at our Louisville plant site on Monday the 2nd. Because of employee confidentiality, we cannot provide any additional information."
Woolbright is being represented by his wife, Linda, who said she has no comment, calling the situation a private matter.
Woolbright is being held on a $10,000 cash bond at Metro Corrections. He also has a no contact order from Raytheon.
UPDATED 11:15 PM EDT Jul 10, 2012
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - An employee at Raytheon Missile Systems has been accused of trying to set himself on fire just hours after being fired.
Police reports said James Woolbright had 10 gallons of gasoline near the front door in the parking lot.
There were no serious injuries because authorities said Woolbright never was able to ignite himself.
It was still a very dangerous situation that could have easily ended a lot worse than it did.
"This was a thought-out plan. He went and purchased the containers at one store, went to another gas station and purchased the gasoline, then returned to his former place of business," said Maj. Henry Ott with the Louisville Fire Department.
Raytheon Missle Systems builds weapons systems for customers like the United States Navy.
"There was approximately three to four gallons of gasoline on the ground. The victim was saturated in gasoline," said Ott.
According to Ott, that might have been one of two reasons Woolbright was not successful.
"He poured so much gasoline on himself his lighter got wet and wouldn't strike, or two, he was in too much of a vapor. The fuel-to-air ratio was too high and it wouldn't ignite," said Ott.
Ott said employees of Raytheon noticed their old coworker's erratic behavior and took action.
Police reports said a security guard was injured by Woolbright's lighter while tackling him, taking four stitches to his left hand.
Fire investigators said Woolbright was fired for general repetitive behavior.
Raytheon would not confirm that, issuing statement instead that said, "We had an incident involving one of our employees at our Louisville plant site on Monday the 2nd. Because of employee confidentiality, we cannot provide any additional information."
Woolbright is being represented by his wife, Linda, who said she has no comment, calling the situation a private matter.
Woolbright is being held on a $10,000 cash bond at Metro Corrections. He also has a no contact order from Raytheon.