High Point man dies in fire he set as authorities tried to arrest him

A High Point man died after he set his apartment on fire as U.S. Marshals tried to arrest him for sex offenses on Tuesday morning, the High Point Police Department said.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force were trying to arrest Timothy E. Parker, 58, at an apartment in the 3000 block of Sherrill Avenue, police said.

Parker was wanted for two counts of statutory sex offense with a child younger than 15, and one count of indecent liberties with a child, according to the release.

The charges stem from a sexual assault case reported in May, the release said.

Parker came to the door and saw law enforcement officers in the parking lot. Marshals ordered Parker to come out of his apartment, but Parker moved away from his door, police said.

Shortly after, marshals saw flames and smoke inside the apartment and called firefighters.

Parker, who was alone in the apartment, was found dead, the release said. No one else was harmed.

Investigators believe Parker intentionally set the fire and they are investigating his death as a suicide, according to the release.

The High Point Fire Department's Fire Marshal's Office also is investigating the fire.

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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 9:40 AM.