Teen sets off explosive outside Gilbert, Arizona church

[Ian David]

Dianna M. Náñez
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 17, 2007 01:26 PM

A Chandler teen could face criminal charges after setting off a homemade bomb outside a Gilbert church during Sunday evening services.

Sgt. Andrew Duncan, a Gilbert police spokesman, said that the 16-year-old boy was arrested at the church on charges of possession of explosives and endangerment and was released to his parents' custody that same night. Duncan said that as of yet there are no criminal charges against the teen, but that Gilbert has issued a juvenile referral relating to the teen's arrest.

Pastor Neil Pitchel, of East Valley Bible Church near McQueen and Elliot roads, said three ushers heard an explosion come from the church parking lot during Sunday's 7:30 p.m. youth service.

<snip>

"We don't think the motive was malicious. It was youthful indiscretion and experimentation with things that blow up," Duncan said. "That being said there is indication that the parents had prior knowledge of the teenager's involvement with explosives."

More:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0717gr-church0717-ON.html

[nebenaube]

1. interesting spin me thinks...

Is this how it begins when the fecal products hit the fan?

[alkaline9]

2. so if this kid happened to be dark skinned and muslim, would he be...

...in Guantanamo right now? I don't see the difference between blowing up a bomb here or blowing up a bomb there. All I see is that our country is not going in a good direction right now.

If this kid was of Middle Eastern descent, would he have been released into the custody of his parents the same night? Or given that they believe the parents had prior knowledge, would the whole family be in Gitmo right now?

[Ian David]

3. And if his daddy was a rich, white Republican campaign donor, he'd be an airline pilot

See prior thread:

I never heard a single follow up on this story
Topic started by NNN0LHI on Jun-23-07 11:12 AM (6 replies)
Last modified by jobycom on Jun-23-07 11:57 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1167661