A 26-year-old Port St. Lucie woman is facing charges of attempted murder and arson after allegedly setting fire to her mother's bedroom door Sunday night while the 62-year-old woman was trapped inside, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department. Officers responded to reports of a domestic disturbance and active house fire around 9:05 p.m. in the 1500 block of Southeast Airoso Boulevard, arriving to find flames inside the residence.
Michelle Picard allegedly attacked the victim when she tried to retrieve a fire extinguisher after discovering smoke coming from underneath her bedroom door. Police say Picard made threatening statements and attempted to push the victim toward the flames before the woman managed to escape to a bathroom, lock the door, and call 911. During the emergency call, Picard could be heard banging on the bathroom door in the background.
Officers found Picard outside the residence and detained her, but she resisted arrest, causing injuries to one officer's leg and requiring another officer to receive treatment for smoke inhalation. Both officers were treated at a local hospital and released. The victim was also hospitalized for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident. Fire investigators determined the blaze was intentionally set.
Picard was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation before being cleared and transported to jail. She faces charges of attempted murder, arson and resisting arrest without violence, with her total bond set at $510,000. The Port St. Lucie Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division, Crime Scene Investigators, St. Lucie County Fire District, and the State Fire Marshal's Office all responded to investigate. The fire damaged the residence, and the American Red Cross is assisting the victim with temporary housing and support services.