A video of an attack near the Oklahoma City Police Department showing a man in a wheelchair struck by a Molotov cocktail has circulated widely. The victim, who is unhoused and often stays near the department, suffered minor burns and was treated at the scene, authorities and witnesses said.
What happened
The incident occurred at the intersection of Lee and Main streets, within sight of the police station. The attack was captured on video and showed the assault unfolding in seconds. Bystanders rushed to help the man immediately after the device struck him; burn marks were visible on the pavement at the scene.
Police arrested 38-year-old Alexander Emery on multiple charges, including first-degree arson, assault with a deadly weapon, injuring another person by explosion, manufacture of an explosive device and assault with intent to kill, according to reporting from KOCO. Officers said they took the suspect into custody shortly after the incident.
Victim condition and response
News crews located the victim near the scene later the same day. He told reporters he was doing better and showed burn marks on the back of his neck. He declined transport to a hospital and did not want to appear on camera. He said he did not know his attacker and could not explain why the assault happened, but expressed gratitude for the help he received.
"These are people"
The attack has prompted local advocates to raise concerns about how unhoused Oklahomans are treated. Megan Mueller, chief executive of the Homeless Alliance, said the assault should shock the community and highlighted the broader problem of dehumanizing people who are experiencing homelessness.
- Location: Lee and Main streets, near Oklahoma City Police Department
- Victim: Unhoused man who uses a wheelchair; sustained minor burns and was treated at the scene
- Suspect: 38-year-old Alexander Emery; arrested and booked on multiple felony counts
Charges listed by authorities
| Charge | Type |
|---|---|
| First-degree arson | Felony |
| Assault with a deadly weapon | Felony |
| Injure another person with an explosion | Felony |
| Manufacture an explosive device | Felony |
| Assault with intent to kill | Felony |
The attack's location — steps from the city police department — has amplified public concern. Residents and advocates said the incident raises questions about safety for people living on the streets and how the city and its institutions respond when violence targets the unhoused.
Video of the assault drew attention not only for its brutality but because it shows bystanders stepping in to help. That reaction has been cited by advocates as an example of community members intervening even as broader social systems fall short.
City residents are likely to press city leaders, social service providers and law enforcement on both the criminal response to this attack and the longer-term need for services and protections for unhoused people. The Homeless Alliance and other local organizations are already calling for the community to recognize the humanity of people without housing and to support measures that reduce violence against them.
Police have not released further details about the investigation or a motive. The case remains under active investigation.
