Terrorism Task Force Investigating New Port Richey Man

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A Wednesday morning medical call about an unresponsive elderly man in New Port Richey has evolved into a full-blown investigation that includes the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, according to Sheriff Chris Nocco.

The series of events that kicked off the investigation began to unfold around 6:20 a.m. Dec. 21 when Pasco County Fire Rescue was called out to a home in the 11900 block of Carissa Lane. Paramedics transported the elderly man to a local hospital while his son, Sherif Elganainy, 21, rode along, Nocco said. Shortly after her husband and son left with paramedics, Nocco said Sherif's mother called a relative and said she didn't want to be near her son. She also indicated there was a "weird smell" in her home and suspicious materials in her son's room, Nocco added.

The relative, who hasn't been identified, called the sheriff's office and asked for a welfare check to be performed on the mother. Deputies arrived at the the home around 8 a.m. Around that time, Sherif Elganainy also returned home.

After Sherif saw the deputies, "a very violent fight" broke out, Nocco said. Sherif Elganainy is accused of attacking two deputies, trying to un-holster one of their guns, breaking a deputy's hand and causing head injuries to another. As the fight was going on, other deputies arrived at the home and managed to subdue Elganainy, who required medical attention following the fight, Nocco said.

"Don't put your hands on a Pasco deputy," Nocco said. "Bad things will happen."

Once Elganainy was subdued, authorities turned their attention toward the alleged hazardous materials reported in his room. The Hillsborough County Bomb Squad was investigating their nature Wednesday evening. It remains unclear just what they might be.

"This guy could have been a potential terrorist," Nocco said. "His actions give us a lot of concern."

Nocco explained those concerns, saying previous statements made by Elganainy are troubling. He would not elaborate on the statements. He also would not say whether Elganainy has been tied to any terrorist organizations.

Authorities were waiting on a search warrant Wednesday evening to investigate Elganainy further.

"We're going to see if anybody else is involved," Nocco said.

As the bomb squad continued its work Wednesday night, Nocco said residents in the Summertree subdivision were in no immediate danger. "We have the situation under control," he said. "Nobody's in harm's way right now."

Elganainy's father, the sheriff's said, is expected to recover. As for the two deputies, "they're going to be out of work for a bit," Nocco said, adding that he was thankful their conditions are not worse.

In the meantime, Elganainy faces such charges as two counts of domestic battery, resisting arrest with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. Deputies say Elganainy pushed his parents early Wednesday morning, prompting the domestic battery charges.

No further information is being released at this time.

To watch Nocco's full Wednesday night press conference, visit the Pasco County Sheriff's Office on Facebook.

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