A Tennessee man accused of pouring gasoline on a woman and setting her face on fire was arrested after a three-hour SWAT standoff at a Kodak motel, where he barricaded himself in a room and refused to come out. Mark A. Harden, 33, was found by Sevierville police at the Smokies Motel just after midnight on Friday, Oct. 16, after the woman escaped his grasp earlier that day and got help. He now faces charges including especially aggravated kidnapping.
TL;DR: Mark A. Harden, 33, is accused of lighting a woman on fire with gasoline in Sevier County, dragging her back when she tried to flee, and stealing a vehicle after she escaped. Police found him barricaded in a Kodak motel room just after midnight Friday. SWAT officers used a tactical drone, chemical agents, and a K-9 before finding him hiding under a mattress and a pile of clothes. He is held in the Sevier County Jail on a $350,000 bond.
The attack, according to court records
According to an affidavit of complaint detailed by the Hindustan Times, citing WVLT and WATE Knoxville, Harden allegedly threatened to kill the woman in Sevier County on Thursday, then poured a can of gasoline on her, shoved her onto a couch, and grabbed a lighter.
The woman told officers that he lit her face on fire, and she managed to put out the flames by running sink water over herself. She was later rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with first- and second-degree burns.
When she tried to run, Harden allegedly put her into a chokehold and dragged her back into the house. She eventually managed to escape and get help from people nearby. Court records say Harden then stole a vehicle.
Barricaded in a motel room
Just after midnight on Friday, Sevierville Police found Harden at the Smokies Motel in Kodak. When officers tried to contact him, he refused to come out and barricaded himself inside the room.
“When officers attempted to make contact, the suspect refused to exit the room and barricaded himself inside,” Public Information Officer Bob Stahlke said, per WVLT. “Due to the severity of the charges, and the potential that the suspect was armed, the SPD SWAT team, along with crisis negotiators and a police K9, were activated and deployed to the location.”
Drone, chemical agents, and a K-9
The SWAT team used a tactical drone to enter the room in an attempt to locate Harden and communicate with him, but he refused to comply. Officers ultimately used chemical agents and a K-9. After a standoff of around three hours, Harden was located hiding under a mattress and a pile of clothes, a city spokesperson said, per WATE Knoxville.
He was treated at the scene for minor injuries and then taken to a hospital.
The charges and custody status
Harden is charged with:
- Especially aggravated kidnapping
- Aggravated domestic assault
- Theft of a vehicle
As of 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, Sevier County Jail records showed Harden was being held on a $350,000 bond.
All charges are allegations. Harden is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Image credit: SWAT tactical team operation photo via Hagadone News Network. Featured image is illustrative and is not from the Kodak scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mark A. Harden?
Mark A. Harden, 33, is a Tennessee man arrested after a SWAT standoff at the Smokies Motel in Kodak. He is accused of setting a woman on fire with gasoline, kidnapping her, and stealing a vehicle.
What is Harden accused of doing to the woman?
According to an affidavit of complaint, he allegedly threatened to kill the woman, poured gasoline on her, and lit her face on fire with a lighter. When she tried to run, he allegedly put her into a chokehold and dragged her back into the house. She eventually escaped and got help.
How did the woman survive?
She told officers she put out the flames by running sink water over herself. She was rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with first- and second-degree burns.
Where did the standoff happen?
At the Smokies Motel in Kodak, Tennessee. Sevierville police found Harden there just after midnight on Friday, Oct. 16, and he barricaded himself inside a room.
How did police end the standoff?
Sevierville police deployed their SWAT team, crisis negotiators, and a K-9. They used a tactical drone to enter the room, then chemical agents and the K-9. After about three hours, Harden was found hiding under a mattress and a pile of clothes.
Was Harden hurt during the arrest?
He was treated at the scene for minor injuries and then taken to a hospital.
What charges does Harden face?
Especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated domestic assault, and theft of a vehicle.
Is Harden still in jail?
As of 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, Sevier County Jail records showed he was being held on a $350,000 bond.
