Actor Brian J. White, known for roles in Criminal Minds and Ghost Whisperer, joined forces with his Woodland Hills neighbors to apprehend a suspected arsonist last Thursday. As wildfires threatened the Los Angeles area, White’s swift action likely averted further danger.
Hollywood Actor Brian J. White Turns Real-Life Hero
“We were packing up to evacuate when I heard screaming outside,” White said. “My neighbor was yelling, ‘Put it down, put it down,’ and I thought someone had a gun.” The commotion stemmed from a man allegedly attempting to ignite trash near White’s property with a blowtorch.
White quickly sprang into action. “My daughter hid in the closet, and I ran out to help,” he recounted. Alongside two neighbors, White cornered the individual and began questioning him. “He claimed he was just looking for a place to hang out,” White said. “But this isn’t the place to hang out—with a blowtorch.”
The neighbors acted decisively after the suspect grew aggressive. With police on the way, they performed a citizen’s arrest using zip ties and ropes borrowed from nearby garages. “Sixteen police cruisers arrived within seven minutes,” White noted. However, while the man was arrested for a felony probation violation, there was insufficient evidence to charge him with arson.
White attributed his calm demeanor during the ordeal to his years of training for police and military roles. “Staying calm and communicating was key,” he said. “We needed to ensure our safety and the safety of the community.”
The incident has galvanized the neighborhood. Residents established a watch group, with patrols every four hours. “Sometimes it takes moments like this to bring people together,” White reflected. “This experience has strengthened our bond as a community.”
Despite the media attention, White emphasized that their actions weren’t for publicity. “We did it to keep our neighborhood safe,” he said. “This is about protecting our families and supporting one another.”
As the fires subside, White is committed to staying involved in community efforts. “We are a family here,” he said. “This reminded me how important it is to invest in that.”