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Teens charged with exploding homemade bombs - continued |
Matt Breedlove
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Josh Haddock |
Jennifer Parker
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Peter Parker |
Travis Shephard |
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According to documents on file with the Jackson County clerk of court, the first incident occurred Friday, Dec. 3, when a bomb was exploded in a portable toilet located on the new Scotts Creek school construction site on Parris Branch Road. The force of the explosion could be felt up to 125 feet away.
A neighbor reported a "loud boom" and said the floor of her house shook. "It was alarming with the propane tank being nearby," she said. Vehicle and suspect descriptions were taken during the investigation of the first crime, Chief Deputy Jim Ashe said Tuesday. While investigating the second incident, which court records indicate occurred Friday, Dec. 10, a suspect was discovered to be in the area and was taken into custody, Ashe said. Other arrests were made earlier this week. Assisting in the investigation were officers with the federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms force and explosive experts from Greenville, S.C. Investigators agreed the charges would fall under state jurisdiction since no attempt was made to harm individuals, said Ashe. Investigators declined to comment on the materials used to make the bombs, though they did say the devices were "very unsafe." "(The suspects) are very lucky to be alive," said Helton. Ashe confirmed that access to the Internet played a factor in the suspects obtaining information needed to construct the bombs. "There are places (on the Internet) that give you detail-by-detail instructions," said Ashe. "We know they used the Internet." In addition to the two bombs exploded, another completed device and one under construction were found during a consent search of a Sylva home, said Ashe. "We have no reason to believe there are other devices out there," said Sheriff's Department Detective Matt Helton. All those involved in the case agree those charged are among Smoky Mountain's academically brightest students. P.T. Parker and Breedlove were chosen by Principal Ken Henke to appear before the Jackson County Board of Education Nov. 29 to discuss their experiences with Cisco technology training offered at SCC. The two were receiving networking training on equipment that allows computers to interface. "Overall, they are good students; most of them are very outstanding in class," Henke said. "It's unfortunate a situation like this has occurred. I hope it can be resolved in a way beneficial to the students and Smoky Mountain High." The investigation had not turned up a link with the students' school activities, and no disciplinary action against the suspects had been taken by school officials as of Tuesday, Henke said. "We're not in the business of destroying children, but at the same time we have an obligation for the safety of all children," Superintendent Frank Burrell said. Talks will continue with law enforcement and school board attorneys to see how the charges reflect back to the school and what if any action to take, said Burrell. Each will be dealt with on case-by-case basis. The recent arrests of Smoky Mountain students marks the second time in as many months that school officials have been forced to face a disturbing trend. Nearly three-fifths of the student body stayed away from school Nov. 22 following what was taken as a threat written on a bathroom wall. "On Nov. 22, Smoky Mountain High School will make history" was discovered on a boys' restroom wall in October. Extra security forces were on hand that day, and nothing out of the ordinary was reported. As of Wednesday morning, Macrae remained in custody at the Jackson County Jail with bond set at $35,000. According to a jail spokesman and court records, the others were released after posting the following bonds: Back to Bombers Part I. |
Back to Archive: 12-16-99. |