Overview
- Authorities say a man inside a Tampa restaurant wielded two knives, cut a patron’s wrist, cut a grill gas line and then ignited a propane tank that spread flames and smoke through the building.
- Deputies and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews extinguished the fire, took the suspect into custody at the scene and booked him into jail without bond.
- The sheriff’s office released surveillance and body-worn camera video that shows the suspect carrying a flaming propane tank through the restaurant and deputies ordering him to drop the knives.
- The suspect, identified by authorities as Rubiel Maceo Castillo, faces first-degree arson of an occupied structure, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief over $1,000 and other charges.
- Local court documents reported by WFLA say investigators believe the attack may have stemmed from a domestic dispute, and prosecutors are likely to pursue significant prison exposure if the charges proceed.