A Florida man accused of leaving a radio-controlled bomb in the bathroom of a local casino has been released on bail after allegedly firing the shots in a fight “about politics,” according to police.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLA) Commissioner Mark Glass told a news conference that 46-year-old Brian Robert Ackley was shot after allegedly leaving two radio-controlled “improvised explosive devices” inside two men’s restrooms at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Was arrested on Wednesday.
Police said that on September 30, a casino employee found one of the explosives in a bathroom, prompting the entire building to be evacuated when a bomb squad found a second device.
One was found near a gas line, both placed in such a way that “if they had exploded, it would have posed a risk of serious bodily injury to anyone in the vicinity,” according to a warrant. Obtained by the Tampa Bay Times,
It was not immediately clear why Ackley, who owns a roofing company, targeted the casino.
However, just days earlier, he had been arrested for fighting with a man “about politics,” according to the warrant, which did not specify what political topic sparked the confrontation.
At one point, Ackley left the unidentified victim’s home — returning with two handguns and a rifle, the affidavit said. As they continued to argue, he pointed the rifle at the other man before firing into the air, according to the affidavit.
Court records show Ackley was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and discharging a firearm on public or private property and was released on Sept. 27 after posting a $5,500 bond.
Florida forensic analysts were able to link evidence in that case to the discarded explosives, police said.
He was reportedly seen acting suspiciously at the casino and drove away in a white Ford Explorer a few days before the devices were discovered. Police said that after lengthy analytical work and interviews, investigators identified the man as Ackley.
Mark Brutnell, FDLE Tampa Bay special agent in charge, said Ackley then “made every effort to hide from law enforcement.”
Brutnell said, “But thanks to this investigation and the extraordinary work of the forensic team, he will be held accountable for his actions.”
Court documents show Ackley has been charged with two counts of making, possessing, throwing, launching, possessing or destroying a destructive device.
According to jail records obtained by the Tampa Bay Times, he owns a Tampa roofing company called Protex Roofing and attended the University of Florida for business and finance.
Ackley was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. His pre-trial detention hearing is scheduled for November 5.
(TagstoTranslate)US News(T)Casino(T)Florida(T)Improvised Explosive Devices
