Man behind Tysons standoff charged with setting fires

WASHINGTON – A man who spurred the evacuation of a Tysons Corner condominium building faces multiple charges related to the almost eight-hour standoff with police.

Michael Gordon, 62, of McLean, is charged with burning an occupied building, threatening to burn or damage a building and setting a fire that could spread, according to Fairfax County police.

Several fires inside The Rotunda condominum building caused an estimated $10,000 in damage, police say.

Police were called to Greensboro Drive complex, where Gordon lives, about 2 a.m. Tuesday for reports of loud music.

Gordon threatened to shoot police and refused to let them into his apartment. Officers smelled a strong, hazardous odor, which was later identified as an ignitable liquid and is undergoing laboratory testing.

During the negotiations between Gordon and police, officers forced their way into Gordon’s apartment believing they had smelled smoke, police said at the time.

Residents from three floors of the building were evacuated for several hours during the standoff with police.

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