A man from Rock Rapids, Iowa, is accused of attempting to kill three people, including his sister, by setting a house on fire.
Marcus During, 38, faces multiple charges, including three counts of attempted murder and arson. He was arrested in Perry, Iowa, after local police responded to a report of a structure fire around 4:15 p.m. on June 10.
According to court documents, Officer Dylan Lerch of the Perry Police Department arrived at the scene and was informed by During’s sister that During had attempted to ignite her house by starting a fire on her back porch. During was still at the scene when Officer Lerch arrived. During resisted arrest but was eventually detained.
During’s sister reported that he had damaged her home’s windows the previous day and returned the following day, acting suspiciously with a hose. When she checked, she discovered the fire on her back porch. While being detained in the police vehicle, During experienced a medical episode, repeatedly hitting his head against the glass, prompting Officer Lerch to take him to a local hospital.
During allegedly threatened officers, telling them to “watch your back while on the streets without that badge on.” His sister and her husband provided video evidence showing During starting the fire and then sitting to watch the flames. At the time of the fire, three people, including a juvenile, were inside the house.