ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- A 24-year-old St. Martinville man is facing arson and attempted murder charges after allegedly setting his girlfriend's home on fire, according to the St. Martinville Police Department.
Brandon Haviland, of Perkins Street, was booked into the parish jail Friday afternoon on charges of aggravated arson and attempted second-degree murder, per jail records.
St. Martinville Police told News 10 that officers were called to the residence for a domestic complaint. When they arrived, officials said Haviland barricaded himself inside of the home and started a fire near the front door, causing the living room to catch fire.
Haviland's sister, Tatyana Haviland, said she was outside of the home when everything took place. She said she tried smash the window to get into the home to stop her brother.
"We are breaking the side window, and I tried to break down the door more so when I didn't succeed in trying to get the door open, the officers tried to make us step back," Tatyana said.
A neighbor of the family, Antonio Carlisle, said he was also home when the fire took place. He thought a baby was in the home, and said when he saw the flames, he jumped into action and helped put out the fire.
"I'm the one that got my own fire extinguisher to go put the fire out, cause I didn't know if the baby was in there or not, but I saw the baby was not in the house, the mother was outside," he said.
Police said when they forced their way into the home, the girlfriend ran out of the house. Haviland ran out the back door, police said, and he was pursued. He was captured by officials and was taken into custody.
No injuries were reported.
Haviland's mother, Patricia Haviland, said she was on the phone, but saw everything unfold.
"He ran out the back, scared off the cops, and when he ran out that's when they done a pursuit on him, the whole time I was on Facetime watching them draw their guns and everything on my son," she said.
Despite everything that has taken place, Haviland's sister says the family wants Brandon to come home.
"We just want to get everything cleared up so he can come home and be with his family and we can get him the help that he needs. We love you Brandon, we got you and we will take care of everything, your son is taken care of, our mother is taken care of, your girlfriend is taken care of, we got you," Tatyana said.
