TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. — A Temple Terrace man accused of trying to set his living room on fire while waving a handgun is facing charges, police said in a news release.
Officials say they responded at around 8 p.m. Monday to an apartment complex in the Summit West Boulevard area where they found smoke coming from the apartment and the man standing on the porch.
The suspect, 26-year-old Nicholas Starr, barricaded himself inside the apartment once he saw officers approaching him, police said. TTPD then set a perimeter around the area to protect other residents.
Once authorities recognized Starr was reportedly carrying a firearm, the department's SWAT team responded to de-escalate the situation.
Through several hours of negotiating, investigators say it appeared Starr had an AR-15 assault rifle, shotgun and several different handguns inside the apartment. Police say he also continued barricading both entrances to his home while also trying to start another fire.
After two attempts to take him into custody with "less lethal force" by Temple Terrace police, Tampa Police Department responded to the scene to assist.
With the use of TPD's robotic technology, SWAT officers were able to enter the apartment safely and take Starr into custody.
A search of the apartment confirmed that the weapons noticed during negotiations were inside the house, officials said.
Starr is charged with arson and felony criminal mischief. He was also taken to a local hospital for minor injuries he received during the incident.
Temple Terrace PD is asking anyone with additional information in this case to contact them at (813) 989-7110.
