A tense standoff in Spring Hill on Monday afternoon ended with a fire, an arrest and an arson charge for a man who had reportedly been running in and out of a home screaming and claiming to have explosives.
On April 14, 2025, at approximately 1:10 p.m., Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence on Bromley Avenue, near the intersection of Elgin and Landover, after witnesses reported a man yelling that he had bombs and appeared to be carrying a firearm.
Deputies quickly identified the man as 40-year-old Leonardo Morales, a registered felon. According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Morales was seen exiting and re-entering the home while brandishing what appeared to be a gun. A perimeter was established as law enforcement attempted to negotiate with him.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis later stated that deputies had responded to the property around 130 times in the past, noting the subject’s history of possible mental health issues.
After Morales retreated into the home, detectives obtained both an arrest warrant and a search warrant. The HCSO SWAT and Crisis Response teams arrived to support deputies on the scene.
At approximately 4:13 p.m., flames were observed coming from the front of the residence. Morales then exited the home and surrendered to deputies without further incident. Firefighters were able to respond quickly to control the blaze.
Following the fire, a search of the residence revealed that the weapon Morales had been holding was a replica Sig Sauer BB gun, found in a bedroom closet. Investigators also learned that the home belonged to the estate of Morales’s deceased grandmother, Gloria Morales, and is currently in foreclosure.
Leonardo Morales has been charged with Arson and transported to the Hernando County Detention Center, where he was initially held without bond.
Sheriff Nienhuis expressed relief that there were no injuries as a result of the standoff or fire.
