San Angelo police save suspect's life after dousing himself in gasoline, holding lighter

SAN ANGELO, Texas — San Angelo police saved a suspect's life Tuesday after he doused himself in gasoline.

According to a press release, officers responded to a disturbance that was reported at El Patio where they located 36-year-old Delfino Hill. He fled on foot before officers could detain him, and they spent the next hour and a half chasing him through the area.

He was eventually located in the 1300 block of Hill Street. Officers quickly learned Hill had obtained a gas can during the chase, and once they confronted him, he doused himself in gasoline while holding a lighter in his right hand.

Despite officers best efforts to persuade Hill to surrender, he did not. Police quickly made a plan, deciding to deploy a single, less lethal beanbag round into Hill's stomach, and then spraying him with a fire extinguisher.

The actions put officers in severe risk of injury, but they were able to successfully save Hill from being seriously injured or killed.

Hill received medical treatment and was charged with evading arrest or detention with a prior conviction.

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