Jaime Ortega.
Tempe, Arizona — 18-Year-old, Joshua Prater was arrested by Tempe police officers for being in possession of an Improved Explosive Device, otherwise known as (IED).
A woman found the device while she was cleaning a house. She also took several pictures of the bomb and other explosive materials, with her cellphone.
“The unidentified women, spotted what seemed to be an explosive device,” said Sgt, Mike Pooley of the Tempe Police department. ” She headed to the Tempe Fire Station, with the device.”
The bomb was successfully deactivated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit.
Sgt Pooley said the explosive device could have resulted into “serious harm” and even “caused death” by detonation.
The police will open an investigation to clarify and understand how Prater, was able to obtain the materials that lead to the construction of the bomb.
Some online websites show how to fabricate IED’s explosives, which is commonly used by terrorist cells in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. http://
Prater is senior student at Marcos De Niza, a High School located in the city of Tempe.
Marcos de Niza High school principal, Frank Mirizio, sent a warning to parents and students “At this time, there does not appear to be any threat to the school or any individual.”
“This is an ongoing investigation,” Mirizio said. “We will be taking every precaution necessary to ensure the continued safety of students and staff. School will be held as usual.”
UPDATE:
Tempe Police found a bigger bomb inside the house capable of hurting and causing death.
Sgt. Pooley confirmed a search warrant had been issued to investigate the case in more detail, but doesn’t suspect any outside affiliations.
“We don’t suspect he had affiliations with any terrorist group,” Pooley said. “We believe he acted by himself and its not uncommon to see kids creating these devices for fun.”
Concerns point that Prater manufactured the bomb from online instructional websites.
“That’s what were thinking, that Joshua manufactured the device getting instructions in an online website,” Pooley said.
It raises questions, on the potential threats some of these online websites offer when distributing dangerous information to users without regulation.
