NM man sets self on fire, allegedly chucks knife at Mesilla marshal

A man set himself on fire when he was approached by deputies Tuesday night.

A Mesilla marshal spotted Gaspar Ayala-Arellano carrying a gas can near Zia Middle School, and the marshal stopped to help. The 48-year-old allegedly refused to identify himself before the marshal called deputies for backup.

When deputies arrived, Ayala-Arellano allegedly pulled a knife and threatened deputies. Ayala-Arellano allegedly threw the knife at the marshal and her in the leg, though she was not injured.

Ayala-Arellano then reportedly doused himself with gasoline and used a lighter to set himself on fire. Deputies were able to extinguish the fire before medical units arrived.

Ayala-Arellano was then taken to Memorial Medical Center where he was treated and released to the Doña Ana County Detention Center. He is being held without bond on charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer.

A Doña Ana County sheriff’s spokes woman told ABC-7 Ayala-Arellano suffered 2nd-degree burns.