Florida Man Arrested After Setting Fires and Stabbing

A man from Florida is facing serious charges after allegedly setting his home ablaze and then returning hours later to ignite another fire, ultimately leading to the fatal stabbing of a man who attempted to intervene.

William Michael Larsen, 37, was apprehended on Tuesday in the Floral City region following an extensive manhunt, as stated by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Sheriff David Vincent, this was a coordinated response involving all available resources.

Authorities first responded to a call about a house fire around midnight on Tuesday. Larsen, the homeowner, was not present when officers arrived, but he was later located and questioned regarding the incident.

A few hours later, at approximately 6:13 a.m., the sheriff’s office received another report indicating that Larsen had returned to the same area and set fire to a nearby shed. Witnesses said that another man tried to extinguish the fire but was stabbed by Larsen, who fled in a white GMC pickup truck.

Investigators revealed that Larsen’s mother owned both the house that burned and the adjacent property where the shed was located.

The man who was stabbed unfortunately died at the scene, although his identity hasn’t been disclosed. Family members stated that he had been in a long-term relationship with Larsen’s mother.

While searching for him, law enforcement found his pickup truck abandoned in a wooded area in Inverness, about a ten-minute drive from Floral City. Shortly after, deputies received information about a man matching Larsen’s description seen in the vicinity of the fire and stabbing.

The deputies responded and were able to take Larsen into custody without any further incidents.

Larsen faces multiple felonies, including charges of arson and first-degree premeditated murder. Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues, and authorities are still looking into what may have motivated these actions.