Explosion That Damaged Jeep Likely Targeted School Principal
BLACKSTONE (CBS) – The father of a school principal who was targeted by an explosion that damaged a Jeep outside his home had stern words for the perpetrator on Friday.
The perpetrator "did very, very wrong," Oliver Giguere said. "Your judgment is crazy."
Police spent the day combing the area close to the explosion that likely targeted Lucas Giguere, a Marine veteran and the principal of Bellingham High School.
His father, who lives right next door, described the loud blast.
"I just heard the bang, 'Boom!'" he said. "Then I ran out."
No one was hurt in the explosion, but investigators said the Jeep had been damaged by "an explosive device, believed to be a pipe bomb" that was put on the grill and blew up.
"We believe that this resident was targeted and have no reason to believe that this was a random act," Blackstone Police Chief Ross A. Atstupenas told reporters, calling it an isolated incident.
Officers were called to a house on Lakeshore Drive just after 6 p.m. Thursday after the homeowner said he heard a loud bang that shook his home and then found a big crack in the front of his car.
Neighbors described a shocking sound.
"We heard the big bang, so I thought it was a gas tank that had exploded," said neighbor Maurice Dubeau.
Another neighbor, Rosalie Benoit, said the principal "seems to be a very nice person. I wouldn't expect that anyone would do him harm." He had recently moved in after renovating the home.
Bellingham Public Schools posted on Facebook that there would be extra police at the high school on Friday.
At Bellingham High on Friday, students were on edge.
"I love our principal and I think he's really nice and I don't know why anyone would do something like this," said student Diane Cabral.
Parent Tom Rinaldi said, "My daughter, just said the other day when he was out directing traffic, 'I really like him, he's a good principal.'"
No arrests have been made, but there is not believed to be any danger to the community, according to police, who recovered evidence from the scene.
The State Police Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also investigating.
Giguere's jeep was towed away on Friday evening.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Blackstone Police Department at 508-883-1212. Anonymous tips can be left at 508-876-5817 or 508-876-5TIP.
