Tennessee teen charged in school firework explosion

A 15-year-old ninth-grader was charged with reckless endangerment and carrying a weapon on campus after he set off an elaborately crafted firework device in a crowded commons area hurting 11 students.

ANTIOCH, TN (Nashville Tennessean) April 9, 2011 -- Cane Ridge High School in Antioch, Tennessee, was evacuated for almost 3 hours April 8 after an elaborately crafted firework device exploded in a crowded commons area causing minor injuries, skin or eye irritation to 11 students.

A 15-year-old ninth-grader was charged with reckless endangerment and carrying a weapon on campus. Four students were injured enough to be sent to area hospitals, although none of the injuries were considered serious.

The rest of the student body was sent to stand on the football field or in parking lots as Metro police and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI investigated, and a trained dog checked lockers for more fireworks.

A Metro police spokesman said the firework, while of consumer grade that could be purchased at any retail fireworks store, was more powerful than a firecracker or sparkler-type device. It included a fuse that ignited a large flame.

Damage to the school building was minimal.

Link: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110409/NEWS01/104090348/11-students-hurt-teen-charged-firework-explosion-Cane-Ridge

Source: DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report