Police searched a home on Granite Street in Quincy yesterday where they say they found an improvised explosive device in a teenager’s bedroom.
(David L. Ryan/ Globe Staff)
Police find bomb-making items in Quincy teenager’s home
Police searched a home on Granite Street in Quincy yesterday where they say they found an improvised explosive device in a teenager’s bedroom.
(David L. Ryan/ Globe Staff)
QUINCY - A Quincy High School resource officer doing a home check on a 14-year-old student who allegedly assaulted his father yesterday morning noticed bomb-making materials in the teen’s bedroom, touching off a chaotic evacuation, authorities said.
“It was what you would call and improvised explosive device, or IED,’’ said Police Captain John Dougan. “It had all the materials except an igniter, like gunpowder or gasoline.’’
Dougan said the resource officer was interviewing the teen, whose name was not released, in his bedroom when he noticed wires, an igniter switch, clips, and other materials which together resembled a homemade bomb.
The resource officer was called to the Granite Street address yesterday morning about 10:30 a.m. after the boy’s father went to the school to report that he had been assaulted by his son.
Dougan said authorities have had contact with the son in the past, but he declined to specify.
After the resource officer finished his interview with the boy, he contacted Quincy Hospital and the boy was taken there. Dougan also declined to say why the boy needed medical attention.
After the interview, the resource officer alerted Quincy Police, who contacted the Boston Police Bomb Squad.
Nearby residents were told to immediately evacuate and the street was shut down for an entire block for about two hours.
At the house, the bomb squad conducted an X-ray analysis of the suspicious materials and determined that they did not have explosives.
Dougan said charges, such as possession of an incendiary device, may be filed against the teen pending an investigation.
Travis Bernal, a 20-year-old man who lives next to the teen, said early yesterday afternoon, “It’s very disturbing to learn that kind of stuff was found so close. I’ve seen the kid out, walking his dog, but have never talked with them. I have three roommates, so it’s really shocked us.
Another nearby resident, Sandy Bernstein, said she learned of what happened on her street after arriving at Parker Elementary School, where she works as a lunch matron.
“All the students were talking about it. I had seen Bill, the high school security officer, running down our street earlier in the morning and I didn’t think much of it, but now I realize what was going on.’’
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