POLICE RESPONSE TO INCIDENT INVOLVING HOMEMADE EXPLOSIVE DEVICES:
FAIRFIELD, CT – On December 1, 2024, at approximately 12:25 PM, the Fairfield Police Department was notified by an area hospital of a young adult male being treated for significant hand injuries. The injuries were reportedly caused by an explosive device. The patient disclosed to hospital staff that he and a friend had built and detonated multiple homemade explosive devices earlier that day.
An investigation revealed that the individuals had constructed four devices using materials purchased online and at retail locations. The devices were later transported to a secluded area in the Pine Creek Marsh where they attempted to detonate them. Two devices were successfully detonated, but the third device exploded prematurely, causing the injuries. The fourth device remained undetonated and was left at the scene in the Pine Creek Marsh.
Following the explosion, the injured individual was driven to an area hospital by the second subject, who then left the hospital and returned to their college residence out of state. Fairfield Police, in collaboration with the Stamford Police Department Bomb Squad, located and safely disposed of the undetonated device left at the Pine Creek Marsh.
The investigation also extended to a residence on Arbor Drive, where additional materials related to the devices were discovered. Out of an abundance of caution, several nearby homes were evacuated by officers on scene, while the Stamford Bomb Squad and Fairfield Police secured the area. Residents were allowed to return to their homes later that evening.
Due to the nature of the incident and the fact that one of the individuals involved had crossed state lines to return to their college, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was contacted for assistance. The FBI supported the investigation by conducting interviews and coordinating efforts across jurisdictions.
During interviews, the individuals involved indicated no intention of causing harm to others, describing the activity as experimentation. However, the incident remains under investigation.
The Fairfield Police Department would like to emphasize that this type of behavior is both unsafe and illegal. Homemade explosive devices pose significant risks to those handling them and can result in severe injuries or even death. While the specific incident investigated in this case did not escalate to a broader public safety threat, such experimentation has the potential to endanger the wider community.
The Fairfield Police Department would like to thank the Stamford Police Department Bomb Squad and the FBI for their assistance and expertise during this incident. Their collaboration ensured the safety of our residents and expedited the resolution of this situation.
We strongly urge residents to report any suspicious activity involving explosives or hazardous materials to authorities immediately. The safety of our community relies on proactive awareness and cooperation. We appreciate the community's patience and understanding as our officers worked to resolve this matter safely.
Anyone with additional information regarding this or related incidents is asked to contact the Fairfield Police Department Detective Division at (203) 254-4840. Anonymous tips can be submitted via the Fairfield PD mobile app, by texting the keyword 'FPDCT' and your message to 847411 (Tip411), or online at fpdct.com/tips.
(Note: When sending a tip by text message, text keyword FPDCT to 847411, add a space, type in your tip information, and hit send.)