Armed man accused of threatening to burn down home he shares with ex-girlfriend arrested after standoff: HCSO

SPRING HILL, Fla. – A stalemate inside Hernando County ended with a jilted ex-boyfriend in handcuffs.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, a woman called 911 shortly after 3 a.m. Wednesday, saying her ex-boyfriend, Jack French, had called her and threatened to burn down the home they shared on Riddle Drive in Spring Hill .

The victim told detectives that French was upset about their recent breakup and texted her pictures of gas canisters.

Officers who went to the home said they saw French, a convicted felon, standing outside and loading firearms into a vehicle.

When officers tried to talk to him, they say he grabbed a rifle and another handgun and ran back into the house.

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The officers used a mobile phone to speak French and said he had made several suicidal statements.

At one point, the officers reported hearing the sound of a gun.

French told police he accidentally fired a shot when he opened a door.

French walked out of the house shortly before 8 a.m. and was arrested.

He told officers he was angry about the breakup with his girlfriend.

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He went on to say that he poured gasoline on the floor of the house but never tried to set it on fire.

Officers said they found a 5-gallon gas container, 11 firearms and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers in the home.

French was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and attempted arson.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Hernando County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-8477 or **TIPS from a cell phone. Tipsters remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

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