Cops: Armed man drives SUV up War Memorial steps, sets fire

(CBS/WISH) INDIANAPOLIS - An armed man draped in an American flag drove his SUV up the steps of the Indiana War Memorial, then set a small fire Tuesday, police said.

CBS affiliate WISH reported that law enforcement and fire officials arrived at the scene just after 4:15 p.m. Tuesday after Daniel Whitaker, 49, drove his Jeep Cherokee up the memorial's steps, poured gasoline down those steps, and set fire to them.

Whitaker was half-naked and wearing an American flag, accessorized with a bright blue staff and a metal helmet with a plume, War Memorial Museum staff said.

NBC affiliate WTHR said that State Police Capt. Dave Bursten wrote in a release that, "After lighting the fire, Whitaker began ranting how the world was safer 50 years ago when people could go outside without having to carry a gun. Ironically, Whitaker was armed with a loaded semi-automatic pistol."

Whitaker also put up a cross at the scene, and told police he was with the "Texas Army."

The fire was put out without causing any major damage, and police were able to talk Whitaker into surrendering his gun, which he unloaded and threw on the ground.

Whitaker was arrested and taken into custody and was examined by paramedics. He is on a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation hold at a local hospital.

According to authorities, he would be preliminarily charged with terroristic mischief, a Class C felony.