Detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are investigating a man who threatened to burn down a local hospital for revenge.
On Monday, November 21, 2022, at approximately 11:41 p.m., deputies received information that Glenn Schaeffer, 56, had left his residence dressed in camo, and possibly armed with a pipe bomb or Molotov cocktails. Patrol units were able to locate Schaeffer in his vehicle and conducted a felony stop near US Highway 41 S and Pennsylvania Avenue. He refused to exit his vehicle, and fled the traffic stop.
Deputies later made contact with Schaeffer at his residence on the 11000 block of Southern Creek Drive in Gibsonton. He was taken into custody, and arrested without incident. During a search of his vehicle, deputies discovered two firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and bottles with an unknown liquid.
The TeamHCSO Bomb Team responded to the scene, and after investigating the unknown liquid and bottles, advised the liquid did not ignite, and no criminal violation was committed. Glenn Schaeffer admitted to Detectives that he was upset and planning on igniting the liquid at St. Joseph's Hospital - South. He also said the guns were for hospital security guards and anyone else that would pose a threat to him. He wanted to get the attention of the FBI.
"Ensuring the safety of everyone in our community is a responsibility we all share," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "I commend the family member in this case for reporting the suspect's threatening behavior, and the swift actions of our deputies that thwarted the potential harm to others."
The FBI Tampa Division had an agent on the scene as well. Glenn Schaeffer is facing a charge of Felony Fleeing to Elude. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be pending.