Neighbor Talks About Man Accused Of Attempted Murder At Lake Arcadia

A metro man is behind bars accused of attempting to kill his friend.

Police say 53-year-old Timothy Joe Beeson poured gas on the man then tried to set him on fire. It happened at Central State Park at Arcadia Lake around 11 p.m. Tuesday. 

Beeson's neighbor says she slept through the commotion.

"I didn't know there was man running in here with a can of gas trying to set someone on fire," she said.

According to the neighbor, Beeson is known as both a prophet and a problem.

"He calls himself the preacher. And on Sundays down there, he has got a little harmonica that he plays Christian music and stuff. But he has got a violent streak. He has got the devil in him also," she said.

5/2/2012 Related Story: Edmond Police Arrest Suspect For Attempted Murder

According to the police report, Beeson was witnessing to his friend. When an argument ensued, Beeson warned, "I am going to send your a** to hell".

"He probably did say that. He is very violent from what I hear from other people," she said.

That violence played out Tuesday. Beeson reportedly poured gas on the man's head, then attempted to set him on fire. But before flames ignited, the man jumped right into the lake.

"It's not every day somebody does this sort of attempt at obviously what could cause somebody to die," said Edmond Police Officer James Hamm.

Beeson has been charged with second-degree attempted murder.