A Florida woman has been charged with a number of crimes after authorities said she crafted a homemade bomb inside of a Walmart.
Emily Stallard, 37, is accused of building an explosive device out of a mason jar filled with nails, a candle, and purified alcohol in front of her child, according to WFLA. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said she was spotted by a security guard wandering about the store and adding unusual items to her cart.
The employee told officers that Stallard’s behavior was “suspicious” and contacted an off-duty Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officer who happened to be in the store at the time. The two men were able to prevent Stallard from lighting the wick on the incendiary device.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said she might have been trying to create an explosion inside of the Walmart.
“This woman had all the supplies she needed to cause mass destruction at her disposal. Had it not been for an alert off-duty law enforcement officer and a watchful security staff at Walmart, she may have followed through with her plans to cause an explosion inside the store,” Chronister said.
“I can’t stress enough, if you see something, say something,” he added.
Deputies said that Stallard spat on them while she was being placed under custody. Investigators have not said why they believe Stallard was constructing the weapon.
She was charged with attempted arson of a structure, firebombing, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child abuse, and battery on a law enforcement officer. Stallard remains in jail on $8,500 bond.
