Woman Attributes Son’s Violent Episode to Mental Illness

LONGVIEW — Longview resident Martina Lopez says a violent Saturday morning episode involving her adult son was brought on by schizophrenia that he’s been battling for years. According to our news partner KETK, police were first to arrive at Lopez’s home on East Birdsong. The son was said to be bleeding from a self-inflicted cut to his leg and had reportedly broken multiple windows with a baseball bat. Lopez and another resident fled and called police. Police soon learned the man had multiple knives and access to a firearm. Eventually, the man reportedly set the house on fire, rendering it a total loss despite the efforts of fire crews. SWAT officers later captured the man. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment and will be jailed on arson charges.