'Homemade Bomb' Thrown Into Manteca Backyard, Injuring Several Teens
MANTECA (CBS13) – Police say it was an intentional bombing – and whoever threw that homemade explosive over a wall and into a house party is still on the loose.
Bernadette Rangel and her husband Mark still can't believe their 18-year-old daughter is suffering from second-degree burns.
"Whatever it was, it shattered like everywhere," Bernadette said. "She's basically bandaged from this far to this far."
The teenager was one of about 60 teens gathered at a home on Santiago Way Friday when, just after 11:00 p.m., they heard a blast.
Six teenagers were badly injured when someone threw what police describe as a half stick of dynamite over the wall – right into where a group was partying.
"It was pretty obvious that whoever did this wanted to hurt somebody," said Lt. Tony Souza with the Manteca Police Department.
Police say they don't know if this was a prank or if a specific teen was targeted at the party, but they do know this wasn't a celebratory firework.
"It was self-made. Very large in nature," Lt. Souza said.
Mark says he's worried about his daughter and the handful of other kids hurt at this home, some more seriously than his own. One teenager was hit in the eye and had to be airlifted to a Bay Area hospital.
"The best way I could describe it is like a shrapnel burn," Mark said.
And his wife knows they're not the only parents who are demanding answers and justice.
"Oh I am so angry. I want to know who this person is. I hope they find this person. I'm sure the person's out there right now," Bernadette said.
Investigators do have one lead: they're looking for a dark Acura that was headed northbound away from the home last night. They're asking for anyone who might know anything to give them a call.