A Maryland man was arrested on Friday, June 8th after intentionally driving an SUV into a building in downtown Washington, DC. Charles Morrell Ball, 32, was accused of driving the orange Jeep into a building and trying to set it on fire. Ball was arrested at the scene of the crash at Connecticut Avenue and L Street NW around 7:45 PM.
Ball told authorities he purposely crashed the vehicle into the building to get the FBI’s attention. The jeep was reported stolen and contained a “partially-filled” gas canister in the backseat. Reports say Ball drove the SUV between the steel bollards lining the sidewalk outside the office building and crashed in a building lobby. Following the crash, Ball took out a lighter to ignite the car, but an officer was able to take possession of the lighter. Ball was then subdued by police. Authorities say he targeted the area due to the large number of people who come in and out of the nearby Farragut North Metro station. He was charged with three felonies; arson, destruction of property and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Although this incident has similarities to previous terrorism cases, it is not terrorist-related. Ball was reportedly suffering from mental health issues. He has a criminal background, with previous incidents including third degree sexual assault in 2008 and two thefts and an assault in 2006.
It is important to note how the quick actions of the security personnel on location aided in preventing the SUV from igniting.