Police investigate pipe bomb explosion

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a pipe-bomb explosion that injured the device's 16-year-old creator.

Police responded to a residence on Fairway Drive Thursday evening to find the teen with severe injuries to his hands suffered when the homemade explosive device he was carrying unexpectedly detonated, according to Moses Lake police Capt. Dave Ruffin.

The incident appears to have been an accident, Ruffin said, although a small amount of hazardous materials and one other pipe bomb was found inside the residence by the Richland Bomb Squad, which was called to assist in the investigation and conducted a controlled disposal of the items.

A woman told emergency dispatchers her son had created the device as part of a "science experiment," but Ruffin said police don't yet know why he built the devices and the investigation "hasn't shown any evidence of a school connection."

He added the investigation hasn't revealed any criminal purposes behind the device.

The teen is now in stable condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Ruffin said, the teen's father was treated after receiving a minor injury from the blast.

Ruffin said at this time it is unknown whether any criminal charges are anticipated.

"A report will be filed when the investigation is complete," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Moses Lake Police Department investigations unit at 509-764-3887 or 509-762-1160.