ATF investigating after two bombs explode in Weare, New Hampshire
UPDATE: The ATF announced Dale Stewart has been arrested in connection with the explosions.
WEARE, N.H. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating after two devices exploded in Weare, New Hampshire, leaving one person with injuries.
Weare Police said the first device exploded Wednesday just after 6 p.m. on Dustin Tavern Road. A second blast happened just before 7 a.m. on Thursday. The ATF declined to provide any specific information about the devices, citing the ongoing investigation.
Police said a passerby suffered minor injuries when a piece of the device struck him in the head. The ATF does not believe he was targeted.
"After hearing about yesterday's pipe bomb I was like, oh that's what it was, I was the victim this time," said Craig Waldron, who was driving down Sugar Hill Road in his van, when he noticed smoke on the roadside seconds before the explosion. "I started rolling away and then, bang, blew my window out."
Waldron described the bomb as one foot of PVC pipe half full of black powder and packed with a white t-shirt.
New Hampshire State Police said there is "no known ongoing threat to public safety at this time" but added that traffic may continue to be impacted during the investigation. The ATF said it does not appear anyone or any place was specifically targeted.
Just a few miles from Weare New Hampshire, former President Donald Trump visited Manchester, New Hampshire. Federal agents said there is no correlation between his visit and the explosives but they did notify Secret Service as a precaution.
Police said the ATF is inspecting the two devices to determine a possible motive and if the explosions were related. Anyone with any information about the devices is asked to contact the ATF tip line at 888-ATF-TIPS.
