Arson Suspect Charged In SWAT Incident At Burning Duluth Home

DULUTH, GA — A SWAT incident Saturday at a burning home ended with a Duluth man facing multiple charges, Gwinnett County Police said.

Officers were called to the Gainesway Terrace home shortly after 6 p.m. Police said dispatch was told the man was walking outside of the home with a knife; however, police said when officers arrived, the man was inside of the home and refused to leave.

Firefighters began to extinguish the fire while officers and mental-health clinicians attempted negotiations with the man to peacefully surrender, police said.

SWAT was then activated and was able to take the man into custody, police said.

Police identified the man as Jonathan Lee, 33. Lee was taken to a local hospital after being placed into custody, police said.

Lee was charged on suspicion of first-degree arson, first-degree criminal damage to property and obstruction, police said. Jail records for Lee were not available Monday morning.

The cause of the fire is unknown.