PRESCOTT MAN TO BE CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE AFTER FIERY CONFRON

Published on October 13, 2023

PRESCOTT MAN TO BE CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE AFTER FIERY CONFRONTATION

PRESCOTT, AZ (October 13, 2023) - At 2:45 am today, YCSO responded to a report that James Haynes, 48 years-old from Prescott, had violated a Civil Order of Protection issued by the Court by crashing his vehicle through two gates and then into a camper trailer occupied by the woman who had taken out the court order. Haynes then lit his vehicle on fire and crawled underneath the trailer attempting to gain access to her through the floor.

This quickly caused the trailer and residence on the property to ignite. All occupants of the trailer and the residence were evacuated to a nearby home.  Haynes had last been seen under a structure that was on fire but was not immediately located by Deputies.

Due to the remote nature of the location, a DPS helicopter outfitted with thermal imaging and night vision was called in to assist with the search for the subject, as the multiple structures on and near the property became fully engulfed by flames. Propane tanks and ammunition began to rapidly explode as well, making for a dangerous and unstable situation.

It was unknown if James was still in the immediate area, or if he had followed the victim to where she had been evacuated. The DPS helicopter was unable to locate the subject, so while Deputies searched the immediate area on foot, the YCSO Quick Response Team (QRT) was called out.  QRT is a subset of the SWAT unit, and their efforts concluded with Haynes being placed under arrest.

Haynes told deputies he had ingested approximately 25 Vicodin and led deputies to what appeared to be a suicide note in his pocket. He was transported to the hospital for medical attention, where he remains currently. After his release he will be booked into the county jail.

The incident is still under investigation; however, the pending charges include Attempted Homicide, Arson of an Occupied Structure, Violation of a Court Order, and Aggravated Harassment.