A D.C. man is facing federal charges after investigators say he set off an explosive device inside a Northeast D.C. apartment.
A woman who was injured in the blast was taken to a nearby hospital, where investigators say they found shrapnel in her arm. In addition to the 12 adults and 3 children who escaped the blaze and are now displaced, firefighters also rescued a cat.
On Valentine’s Day just after 4:30 p.m., firefighters responded to an explosion at 1424 Eastern Avenue NE and found a building consumed by fire.
First responders found the injured woman and soon heard from witnesses who said there had been an explosion inside one of the apartments. They told investigators that the blast had come from a device at least one person had seen in the hands of Deyon Hampton Jr., a man who they said sometimes stayed at their apartment.
According to a court affidavit filed in the case, a witness told investigators Hampton had what they described as a “tubular device” in his hands just before the explosion. The witness described it as “dynamite.”
A court document filed in the case this week contains multiple photos showing extensive damage to the building.
One witness told investigators that after the blast, they spoke to Hampton as he left the building and, according to the complaint, asked him what happened. Hampton “smiled and said something like he got them,” the witness said.
There is nothing in the court file explaining a motive.
Hampton is being charged with maliciously damaging or destroying commercial property using fire or explosive. He is being held without bond and has a detention hearing in federal court scheduled for Friday.
from Local – NBC4 Washington https://ift.tt/drkGlIi
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