According to reports, a woman was arrested this week when she allegedly tried to set a man’s oxygen tank on fire at an Oklahoma City, Okla., senior center.
Fox 25 reported that the incident took place at around 9:30 p.m. Monday at the Jeltz Senior Center. Police arrived at approximately 9:33 p.m. after receiving reports of an assault there.
There, officers found Marketta Bates surrounded by what Fox 25 – citing a police report – called a “chaotic scene” in the common area of the center that included people screaming. Her alleged victim was reportedly standing away from Bates and his oxygen tank was on the ground with liquid coming out of it.
While the Fox 25 report said that witnesses at the scene were “initially uncooperative,” they said that the victim told officers that he was in the common room selling clothes when Bates entered and demanded to know where her mother’s phone was. Bates reportedly believed the phone was stolen and became upset with the victim when he asked her to calm down as she yelled at others.
It was at this point that Bates allegedly tried to set the man’s oxygen tank on fire, while it was connected to his breathing tubes. He quickly detached them and other residents came to intervene. Bates also allegedly slammed the tank on the ground and attempted to set a trash can on fire.
According to the victim, she also brandished a knife at him and made a slashing motion. When she was detained by police, Bates allegedly also told officers that she had a knife in her bag and law enforcement found a 10-inch fixed-blade knife with a gray rubber handle in her backpack.
Fox 25 said Bates claimed she was defending herself after the victim allegedly threw the oxygen tank at her. However, the report also said that police received footage from the Oklahoma City Housing Authority that somewhat corroborated the victim’s narrative. It did not show Bates holding a knife, but investigators said the victim did describe the exact knife found in Bates’s backpack.
Following the incident, Bates was arrested and booked on Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Attempted Arson charges.
“Bates has a prior felony conviction in Oklahoma County for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Unlawful Possession of Cocaine,” said Fox 25.
Audacy has reached out to the Oklahoma City Police Department for confirmation.
Per the U.S. Fire Administration, oxygen tanks should be kept at least 5 feet from heat sources, open flames or electrical devices. The administration advises to “never use a candle, match, lighter or other open flame near medical oxygen.”