Staff report
Updated at 4:45 p.m. with information on pre-trial detention.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Henry S. Chambers Jr., 66, was arrested Wednesday morning after police said he threw alcohol on two officers and then used a lighter in an apparent attempt to ignite one of them. He is facing an attempted homicide charge.
Gainesville Police Department officers were called at about 7:55 a.m. on July 8 to the 400 block of West University Avenue after receiving a report of a man who appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis.
According to the report, officers tried to assess Chambers and provide assistance when they arrived, but he allegedly became confrontational and positioned himself in a bladed stance, as though preparing to attack. Police said they saw a folding knife on the ground near him, and Chambers allegedly told officers, “If you do anything, you’ll have to kill me.”
Officers also reported seeing a burnt glass crack pipe on the ground beside Chambers. When they asked him about it, he allegedly volunteered that he had purchased a “rock” the night before. An officer noted in the report that “rock” is a term commonly used to refer to narcotics. Chambers was detained at that point.
As another officer arrived in a patrol vehicle, Chambers allegedly advanced aggressively toward the vehicle. Officers then approached him from behind and attempted to handcuff him, according to the report.
Police said Chambers threatened to “kill LEO” before quickly turning and throwing a cup containing a liquid that smelled like alcohol at two officers. The liquid reportedly hit the officers in the chest and face area.
Officers took Chambers to the ground, where he allegedly continued to struggle and refused to drop a lighter that was in his hand.
While he was on the ground, Chambers allegedly intentionally ignited the lighter in the groin area of one of the officers he’d splashed alcohol on, and the officer felt his groin area heat up. Several officers reported hearing the lighter click.
Officers eventually subdued Chambers and transported him for medical treatment.
Chambers has been charged with attempted homicide, battery on a law enforcement officer, and resisting an officer without violence. We will update his criminal history and bail amount when it is posted, but he has at least five felony convictions (one violent) and 88 misdemeanor convictions (five violent) and has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2023. [Editor’s note: these numbers were taken from a 2020 First Appearance Order that showed four felonies and 86 misdemeanors; after that date, Chambers was convicted of one additional felony and two additional misdemeanors, but his First Appearance Order from today shows the same count as the 2020 document, for a total of 90 convictions.]
Judge William Davis ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
