Officials: Man admits starting fire in Racine, attacks deputy at Ascension All Saints Hospital
Updated: 3:10 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2023
RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Racine man accused of intentionally setting a fire at a home with people inside, has been formally charged.
Marcus Cole is facing the following:
- Arson of building
- First-degree recklessly endangering safety (three counts)
Published: 11:36 a.m. on Feb. 20, 2023
RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A man who admitted to intentionally starting a fire at a residence in Racine is accused of attacking a deputy guarding him in a hospital room at Ascension All Saints Hospital.
According to the Racine County Sheriff's Office, on Saturday morning, Feb. 18, deputies were called to 9th Street, near College Avenue, for a fire. Upon arrival, deputies observed a large amount of smoke coming out of the duplex.
Officials say four upstairs residents, including a 2-year-old child, had exited the building and were inside a running vehicle. The child received medical treatment for smoke inhalation.
According to the sheriff's office, the downstairs resident -- identified as 36-year-old Marcus Cole -- also exited the building and was inside an ambulance. Deputies interviewed Cole, and he admitted to intentionally setting his bedroom on fire by lighting a Kleenex, placing the burning Kleenex inside a paper bag, and throwing the fire on his mattress.
Cole stated he knew the upstairs tenants were home, according to the sheriff's office, but he exited his residence without alerting them or calling 911. Deputies arrested Cole for the following offenses:
- 2nd Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety (four counts)
- Arson of a Building
Cole was transported by deputies to Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine to be medically cleared prior going to jail. Officials say Cole was admitted as a patient for an unrelated medical condition. Deputies were put on 24-hour guard duty of Cole while he was there.
Monday, Feb. 20, at approximately 1 a.m., while in his hospital room, officials say Cole violently attacked the deputy guarding him. The deputy discharged her duty firearm, striking Cole. Additional law enforcement personnel responded to the hospital, and they secured Cole.
Cole sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and he is receiving additional medical care.
No one else was injured during the incident, and there is no danger to the public.
As is standard, the deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation into the shooting.