Woman is in custody after authorities say she intentionally set a small fire inside a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office station
Published by RawNews1st
A woman is in custody after authorities say she intentionally set a small fire inside a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office station in Florida.
On January 23, 2026 before 2:30 p.m., sheriff’s deputies say 36-year-old Towana Cassandra Findlay entered the lobby of Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO) Northside District Station, located at 799 NW 81st St. in Miami, Florida, poured liquid from a container onto the floor and ignited it.
Deputies say Findlay exited the building immediately after starting the fire and was taken into custody without incident.
The flames were quickly extinguished by deputies. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded as a precaution to ensure the fire did not reignite. No injuries were reported.
According to authorities, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Arson Investigation Unit is leading the investigation. Investigators with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the Sheriff’s Office Homeland Security Bureau, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded and are conducting parallel investigations.
Findlay faces 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder of a law enforcement officer and one count of first-degree arson.
During a bond court hearing on January 24, Findlay represented herself and entered a guilty plea. A judge ordered no bond on all 12 counts and remanded her into pretrial detention.
She remained held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Authorities say a motive for the incident remains unclear at this time.
