Women said neighbor threatened them with smoke bomb, Army-issued rifle

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — An active U.S. Army National Guard member was arrested in Brevard County after authorities said he entered an apartment with a military-issued smoke bomb and threatened four women.

Investigators said the incident happened at an apartment complex on Woodwind Trail about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

William Figueroa left the apartment only to return with an AR-15 military-style rifle, which is when one of the women called 911.

"Luckily, he didn't pull the pin to (the smoke bomb). If he would've pulled the pin, it would shoot out a flame of about two feet and give out a lot of smoke into that confined area. It would not have been nice," said Sgt. Brian Dohaney of the Melbourne Police Department.

Figueroa lived upstairs but the women only knew him by his first name. They told 911 Figueroa had been drinking.

"He threw the gun and he was laughing, because he's like 'Oh my God, you guys are so freaked out.' He picked it up and he's like, 'Look, it's not even loaded,'" one of the women said.

Figueroa's defense attorney argued he wasn't dangerous, but the judge didn't buy it.

Police said Figueroa faces multiple charges, including assault and planting of a hoax bomb.

Channel 9 has learned he is an active member of the 715th Military Police Company stationed in Melbourne.

WFTV