A 53 year-old Charles County man implicated in an arson has died as a result of a self-inflicted gun shot to the head.

Thomas Lynton Deem, 53, was removed from life support Wednesday evening after being taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center Tuesday afternoon.

UPDATE Feb. 25 at 8 a.m.:
Deputy State Fire Marshals and investigators with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office are continuing with their investigation into the intentionally set fire that occurred early this afternoon. The 2:55 p.m. blaze at 11150 Lord Baltimore Road caused extensive damage to the one-story single family home occupied by Thomas Lynton Deem.

Neighbors reported the fire to the Charles County Emergency Operations Center after seeing smoke coming from the home. When firefighters arrived at the home a pick-up truck was parked in the driveway. The operator was asked to move the vehicle so firefighter could get equipment into the scene. Firefighters discovered the vehicle disabled and assisted in moving the vehicle out of the way.

While firefighters were battling the fire they heard what sounded like gun fire coming from the area where the pick-up was parked. Firefighters went to investigate and discovered Thomas Lynton Deem, 53 years of age inside the truck with what appeared to be a self inflicted gun shot to the head. He was provided medical assistance and then flown by Maryland State Police Aviation to Prince George’s Shock Trauma. He is listed in critical but stable condition.

It took approximately thirty-four firefighters from six area fire companies approximately one-hour to extinguish the fire but not before an estimated $300,000 in damage was done.

Deputy State Fire Marshals has determined Deem poured an ignitable liquid throughout the house and then ignited the fire. Investigators found evidence linking the ignition of the fire to the victim.

The investigation continues in determining the motive for the fire and shooting.

UPDATE Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.:

According to Charles County Police Spokesperson Diane Richardson, rescue units were dispatched for report of a house fire around shortly before 3 p.m. in the 11100 block of Lord Baltimore Road in the Swan Point neighborhood of Southern Charles County.

Unit arrived on the scene to find a resident of the home produce a handgun and proceed to shoot himself in the upper body. The resident believed to be in his fifties, and was flown by Medavac to an area hospital and remains in critical condition.

No word on what may have caused the house fire or why the resident shot himself.
Charles County Sheriffs are working with the fire department and State Fire Marshalls on this investigation. More details to follow as they become available.
 

At approximately 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, multiple Charles County Fire units were called to a house fire in Swan Point in Southern Charles County. While units were engaged with the fire, they discovered a suspicious gas can in the house.

There are unconfirmed reports that an arsonist was on the scene and that the arsonist shot himself when approached. There are confirmed reports the Trooper 7 was called and transported a patient. No other confirmed information is available.

Charles County Sheriff's Office were unavailable for comment at this time. TBN will update this story when the official report is made available to the media.