Car explosion in Allentown, Pennsylvania

[angelburst29]

This is a typical news report that I would expect to see reported from the War Zones in Iraq, Afghanistan or Syria, yet this incident just happened in my own home State, Pennsylvania. What is frustrating, is the "all to common" lack of key details and possible motive behind the incident. The reader is left - to fill in the (blanks) details, like it's some kind of game? I have spent the last two hours, searching local news outlets for a back story or any additional information, only to end up - back where I started from? To top it off, the incident happened on Friday, only to be reported on Monday?

Oct. 1, 2018 - 3 killed after car explodes in suburban Pennsylvania; suspect likely among the dead
3 killed after car explodes in suburban Pennsylvania; suspect likely among the dead

Three men died after a car exploded late Saturday in Allentown, Pennsylvania, authorities said.

The suspect was likely among those killed in the blast, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said at a Sunday news conference.

Philadelphia ABC station WPVI reported the blast, which took place about 9:30 p.m., shook windows of houses in the neighborhood.

Photos of the scene showed debris from the car strewn across the block.

It is not clear how or why the explosion happened.

Authorities called the explosion an isolated incident and said there is no further threat to the public.

Autopsies will be performed Monday, said Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim.

PHOTO: A deadly car explosion rattled a neighborhood in Allentown, Pa., on Friday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Rich Rolen)

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are among the agencies at the scene.

Authorities are looking to speak to all witnesses. The FBI urges anyone with information to call investigators at 215-418-4000.


FBI Philadelphia ✔ @FBIPhiladelphia

https://twitter.com/x/status/1046375529794932736

Anyone who witnessed or has information on the blast who has not yet spoken to investigators is asked to contact us as soon as possible at 215-418-4000 or http://tips.fbi.gov .https://twitter.com/FBIPhiladelphia/status/1046301248088100864 …
FBI Philadelphia
✔ @FBIPhiladelphia
FBI personnel have responded to the scene of an explosion in Allentown. We are working with our law enforcement partners to assess the situation & determine the cause, with public safety the Bureau's highest priority. (1/2)
8:25 AM - Sep 30, 2018

The Red Cross tweeted it had set up a temporary shelter in the area.

The area surrounding the explosion has been cordoned off by authorities for blocks.

Allentown is located in eastern Pennsylvania, about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia.


(Comment - this next report states the incident happened on Saturday - first report (above) states "Friday"? )

Oct. 1, 2018 - Three men killed in Pennsylvania car explosion, officials say (Northeast Published 16 hours ago) (Video)
Three men killed in Pennsylvania car explosion, officials say

Three men were killed when a car exploded in Pennsylvania's third largest city Saturday night, drawing a massive response from local and federal law enforcement to what was dubbed a "criminal incident."

At a news conference Sunday afternoon, authorities repeatedly described the explosion in Allentown as an "isolated incident." Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said investigators had a "high degree of confidence that the perpetrator was probably killed."

There was no immediate word on the identities of the victims, nor was there any explanation of a possible motive or cause of the blast. Investigators said they did not believe there was any additional threat to the community.

The explosion happened at approximately 9:30 p.m. on a downtown street and could be heard and felt across the city located about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Resident Carlos Perodin told The Morning Call newspaper that he was watching a movie with his wife when he heard a thunderous explosion and went to the scene.

"The fire was crazy," Perodin told the paper. "The car was pretty much split in half."

Another witness, Stephanie Connelly, said she saw body parts strewn across the street.

"This is real life and I'm shaking and freaking out while I'm running," she told The Morning Call.

A bus station was turned into a makeshift command center with armored vehicles, dozens of police cruisers, mobile command units and even portable bathrooms, the paper reported. Several portable tents were also erected for evidence processing.

Residents were asked to avoid the area, and people who live nearby were asked to shelter in place. A shelter was set up at an elementary school and authorities said it would remain open on Sunday night.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is taking the lead on the investigation with the assistance of the FBI and local authorities. Officials have asked anyone with information about the case to call (888) ATF-BOMB (283-2662).

 

[loreta]

Wow, this was a big explosion. Maybe something related to the Mafia?

 

[angelburst29]

Wow, this was a big explosion. Maybe something related to the Mafia?

Might be a good guess, Loreta! Something is "very off" with reports on this incident. Here's two updates:

October 1, 2018 - Father, 2-year-old Son Among Those Killed in Allentown Car Explosion
Father, 2-year-old Son Among Those Killed in Allentown Car Explosion

A 2-year-old boy was among the three people killed when a car exploded Saturday night in Allentown.

Federal, state, and local authorities are investigating what they call a “criminal incident.” The vehicle exploded around 9:30 p.m. in the area of at North Hall and West Turner streets, leaving debris strewn across the road.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, the Lehigh County coroner identified the victims as David Hallman, 66, Jacob Schmoyer, 27, and Schmoyer’s son Jonathan, 2. All were from Allentown.

Schmoyer and Hallman were friends, according to according to investigators.

There is still no word what caused the blast. Investigators believe the person responsible was killed in the explosion.


October 4, 2018 - Car Explosion That Killed 3 in Allentown Was a Murder-Suicide, Officials Say
Car Explosion That Killed 3 in Allentown Was a Murder-Suicide, Officials Say

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A man killed in a car explosion over the weekend in Allentown, Pennsylvania, intentionally carried out the blast that also killed his 2-year-old son and another man, authorities said Thursday.

Jacob Schmoyer, 26, revealed his intentions in four letters sent to his family and law enforcement, said Don Robinson, special agent in charge of the investigation for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“All the letters indicated that Mr. Schmoyer was to blame. He took blame for it.”

The explosion occurred around 9:30 p.m. Saturday in Allentown, about 60 miles north of Philadelphia, killing Schmoyer, his son, Jonathan, and David Hallman, 66, an associate of Schmoyer’s, Robinson said.

Two letters “indicated that (Schmoyer) intended to target Mr. Hallman, and in one of the other letters we were able to confirm that he intended to take his son with him also.”

Robinson said investigators had confirmed Schmoyer and Hallman made contact in the hour before the explosion and immediately before it but did not provide further details.

A letter sent to the Allentown Police Department also specified the materials used in the construction of the device that set off the explosion.

Robinson said the “crux of the letters” revealed Schmoyer was “very unhappy with his life.” He “described himself in negative terms” and admitted to other petty crimes, the agent added.

Authorities are still working to confirm the authenticity of the letters, Robinson said, but they are “very confident” they came from Schmoyer.

Explosive device was homemade
The explosives Schmoyer used were homemade, Robinson said.

Kathleen Pond, Schmoyer’s grandmother, previously told CNN affiliate WFMZ that he was interested in fireworks.

Authorities on Friday did not detail what components were used in the construction of the device.

Robinson suggested the materials were not explicitly illegal, and that was the “problem” with homemade explosives.

Robinson said there were two explosives in the vehicle, but only one went off. It was likely placed in the car’s center console or near it.

Asked about how Schmoyer knew how to construct the bomb, Robinson said that “unfortunately that kind of information is out there.”

John Gallagher, chief of the Allentown branch of the US attorney’s office, condemned the use of a bomb to carry out a suicide, especially since the area in which the explosion occurred was busy on Saturday night.

“This was an individual who intentionally set out to commit suicide, and do it in the most violent and most destructive way he could conjure up,” Gallagher said.

(Comment: Again, there is a conflict in the story line - if the incident happened - late Friday or Saturday? The two updates say Saturday. Other then Loreta's suggestion, I can only imagine two other possible scenario's ... that it was drug related some how or Schmoyer's "66 year old associate" was his Son's "real" Father? Why would he want to kill his own little Son? And "why" isn't there one word or reference on the Mother of this very young child?

The suppose "letter's" also make no sense. Why four? Two to Law enforcement and two to family?

If this individual was suicidal, what was the motive in sending detail information on the "homemade" explosives to Law enforcement?

 

[loreta]

Very strange, yes indeed. Mysterious. Is it so easy to fabric a bomb ? I don't think so. A bomb of this force. I think it is a good plot for a detective novel. The sad thing is the death of the little boy. It looks like a "réglement de compte".