Authorities say there is a reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.
Hampstead, Md (KM) The investigation into an explosion last Friday near Manchester which injured a 28-year-old man continues.
Carroll County Sheriff Jim Dewees briefed reporters on the latest developments in the case during a news conference on Monday in Hampstead. “The package was an improvised explosive device,” he said. “It was, we believe, intended for the target, the 28-year-old male who was in the residence.”
At around 5:30 PM on Friday, Sheriff Dewees says police, fire and rescue responded to the 3300 block of View Ridge Court for an explosion. He says the victim opened a package delivered to his home, and it detonated, knocking photos off the wall, and slightly raising the roof of the home. The neighbors were also affected by the blast.
The Sheriff says the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also called into the investigation.
The victim, who suffered injuries to his abdomen and the lower extremities down to his legs, was taken to a trauma center in Pennsylvania for surgery. Sheriff Dewees says the victim is in stable condition. “In this particular case, it was addressed to the individual that we believe was the intended the target. But we don’t believe there was any other indicator where it came from,” he says.
“We’ve been able to communicate with him he’s in stable condition,”: Dewees continues. “He does have a good memory of what exactly took place and helped us chronologically put things together. He does describe the package, but simply can’t explain to us why he would have been the target of that. And nothing that we’ve uncovered to this point explains why he would be a target of that.”
The device will be examined at an AFT lab, the Sheriff’s says.
As for a motive, “We can’t simply tell you that right now,” Dewee said. “We don’t know. We don’t why this individual was targeted. We just know the package was addressed to him, and he was the one that opened the package and it de3tonated.”
The Sheriff says the package arrived at the home the victim shared with his grandparents while the 28-year-old man was at work in Westminster. The parcel was placed on a kitchen table. After he got home, the victim opened the package in his bedroom and it exploded. . The other occupants of the home were not hurt.
A $5,000 reward is being offered for anyone who has information on this incident which leads to an arrest. Citizens can call the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 1-888-399-TIPS (8477).
By Kevin McManus