JONESBOROUGH, TENNESSEE — A 32-year-old Tennessee man, Dustin Tayler Machen, is facing multiple serious criminal charges after investigators say he poured gasoline on his own mother and set her and her home ablaze following an eviction dispute. The victim managed to escape the burning home and reach a neighbor’s house for help, and is now reported to be in stable condition at a local hospital. The suspect was later found hiding in a nearby field, allegedly watching the fire he had set.
Eviction Dispute Turned Violent as Son Left and Returned With Gasoline
The incident began when the woman made the decision to evict Machen from her home. A dispute reportedly broke out between the two before Machen left the property. However, investigators say he did not go far. He returned shortly after, this time carrying a container filled with gasoline.
What followed, according to authorities, was a deliberate and calculated act of violence. Machen allegedly poured the gasoline directly onto his mother as well as throughout the house before setting it alight. The attack left the woman with no immediate means of escape and no way to call for outside help.
Suspect Destroyed Victim’s Cellphone to Block Emergency Call
In what investigators describe as an attempt to trap his mother without any means of assistance, Machen allegedly destroyed her cellphone before or during the attack. By eliminating her ability to contact emergency services, authorities say he effectively cut off her only immediate lifeline.
The deliberate destruction of the phone is expected to form a significant part of the charges he now faces, pointing to premeditation rather than an act committed purely in the heat of the moment.
Victim Escaped Burning Home and Reached Neighbor for Help
Despite being doused in gasoline and surrounded by fire, the woman managed to get out of the burning home. She ran to a neighboring residence, where she was finally able to call for emergency assistance.
First responders arrived and found her suffering from burns to her arms. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment. As of the latest available information, her condition is reported as stable, though the physical and emotional toll of the attack is significant.
Washington County Deputies Located Suspect Hiding in Nearby Field
Following the attack, Machen fled the scene but did not travel far. Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies tracked him down hiding in a field close to the property. According to authorities, he was allegedly watching the fire burn from that location at the time he was found.
He was taken into custody without further incident and now faces multiple serious criminal charges in connection with the ongoing case. Investigators with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office continue to work through the details of the case as it develops. Stay with GordonRamsayClub.com for the latest news updates and detailed coverage.
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