A Hazmat Situation Turned Violent, Leads To Possible Terrorism Investigation
Authorities are conducting a possible terrorism investigation after a hazmat situation turned violent in New Port Richey.
At about 6:20 a.m. Wednesday morning Pasco Fire-Rescue was called to 11906 Carissa Lane due to an unresponsive elderly man.
While emergency medical technicians took the man to the hospital, his wife contacted law enforcement about fumes that may have been the reason behind the mans’ collapse.
Deputies said they noticed suspicious materials in the bedroom of the couple’s 21-year-old son when talking to the wife, Sherif Elganainy.
As the deputies went to take the son into custody he attacked them and a violent fight broke out. One deputy suffered a broken bone in his hind while the other received a blow to the head.
Once the suspect was taken down the deputies turned their attention to the materials in his room.
“There are materials in there that give us concern,” Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said to abc action news. “His actions, statements that he’s made, previous things that have occurred in this house that have now been reported today to us, give us a lot of concern.”
The Joint Terrorism Task Force and Hillsborough County Bomb Squad were brought in to assist with the case.
Federal authorities and the bomb squad eventually entered the home and removed the materials, said Sheriff Nocco.
Elganainy has charges pending that include two domestic batteries; resisting arrest with violence; battery on a law enforcement officer; and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.
Sheriff Nocco is scheduled to hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. to release more information on this case.
Stay with News Talk Florida as new information becomes available.