Man killed in fire after 10-hour standoff with Metro Police

Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1999 | 11:16 a.m.

Thirteen guns were recovered from the house where a man killed himself after a 10-hour police stand-off Sunday that ended when the man set the house on fire, police said.

Metro Police homicide Sgt. Kevin Manning said the parents of John Kaelin, 25, earlier had hidden the weapons, which included rifles and handguns.

"One of his bones of contentions was the firearms," Manning said, adding, however, that Kaelin may have had access to a .22-caliber rifle.

He said police reported hearing several gunshots inside the home at 3650 Red Rock St. Sunday afternoon several hours before the start of the fire that destroyed the structure.

The home belongs to Kaelin's parents.

Manning said because of the amount of debris from the burned house police have not yet recovered the weapon Kaelin may have used to fire the earlier shots.

"The only thing left standing is the four walls," he said.

Police arrived at the home near Spring Mountain Road and Jones Boulevard at about 9:30 a.m., after Kaelin had reportedly chased his father and brother from the house.

Manning said one thing that may have precipitated the incident was the recent breakup of Kaelin's marriage.

He said Kaelin, an ironworker by trade, checked into Montevista Hospital Aug. 28, suicidal and suffering from depression. He was released after a week.

About 15 homes and 30 people were evacuated from the neighborhood as the SWAT team was called in and began negotiations with Kaelin. The talks broke down, and Kaelin, who reportedly wanted to regain possession of his guns, eventually cut the phone lines to the home, police said.

Nonflamable tear gas canisters were fired into the home shortly after 3 p.m., and soon after that smoke could be seen coming from the house.

Manning said Kaelin used gasoline to start a fire on the staircase and landing leading to the upstairs.

"He also had barricaded several doorways to prevent anyone easily getting to him," Manning said.

A refrigerator was pushed against one door. Furniture and clothing was braced against other doors.

Manning said the body was found in an upstairs bedroom.

He said the initial autopsy report indicates there were no external wounds, such as from a gunshot or knife.

He said it appears Kaelin died as a result of the fire, but authorities are awaiting the results of a toxicology report to determine whether he burned to death or died of smoke inhalation.

Firefighters fought the fire from outside instead of aggressively attacking it from inside because Kaelin had told negotiators he had set booby traps, Manning said.