A Baxter County man has been arrested for aggravated assault against a first responder and failure to control or report a dangerous fire.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Baxter County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a structure fire in Henderson Monday night. While en route, dispatch advised there was a male outside of the residence waving a gun around and acting strange. They further stated fire personnel had a gun pulled on them by the male and would not let them put out the fire.
Upon arrival, deputies identified and apprehended the suspect, 52-year-old Michael George Koch in the woods near the residence.
When deputies spoke with the victim, he stated when he first arrived on the scene, a witness advised him a man had a gun and did not want anyone on his property. As the victim started to take the hose off the fire engine and began to walk towards the fire, he was met by Koch.
Koch stated “I am crazy, I have a gun and I will shoot you.” The victim advised him to take his hands out of his pocket and observed what he believed to be a firearm gripped in his hand. The victim fled to safety and notified law enforcement what transpired.
Deputies canvassed the area after Koch was taken into custody, but weren’t able to locate a gun.
Koch is currently being held in the Baxter County Detention Center on $7,500 bond.
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