Fatal Bradenton Standoff: Identities Released

BRADENTON, FL — A Bradenton hostage situation that began in the early morning hours Thursday ended around 2 p.m. with the suspect's death. The hostage was rescued, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The standoff between the county's SWAT team and Glenn Watenpool, 68, began shortly after deputies received a 7:45 a.m. April 6 call about a possible shooting at the Pescara Lakes Mobile Home Park, 570 57th Ave. W. When deputies arrived on the scene, they determined Watenpool was holding Mike Albaugh, 54, a park employee, in the clubhouse.

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"Hostage negotiators spent the next several hours trying to persuade Watenpool to give himself up and free the hostage," a Thursday afternoon email from the sheriff's office said. "Watenpool was upset with several ongoing issues in his life and told negotiators he wanted to kill himself."

The standoff lasted until shortly after 2 p.m. when authorities used explosives to create a diversion. SWAT team members then entered the clubhouse and were able to rescue Albaugh, the email said.

Watenpool, however, fired at deputies, the agency wrote. Deputies "returned fire, killing Watenpool."

Albaugh, the sheriff's office said, was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury. The sheriff's office said Watenpool struck Albaugh in the head with a gun during the incident.

Deputies recovered a handgun and a shotgun they say Watenpool had in his possession.

An investigation into Watenpool's death is being conducted by the sheriff's office.

No further information is available at this time.

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