x
Breaking News
More () »

Oak Ridge student faces felony charges connected to recent explosions

The juvenile male student appeared in court for a detention hearing Wednesday, and then was released.

UPDATE, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018: A high school student arrested in connection with recent explosions in Oak Ridge faces two felony charges.

The juvenile male student attends Oak Ridge High School. He appeared in court for a detention hearing Wednesday, and was then released.

Oak Ridge officials say he is charged with two counts of possession or manufacture of prohibited weapons, a class B felony.

The student's name has not been released.

Officials said the incident remains under investigation.

PREVIOUS STORY, Jan. 23, 2018: The Oak Ridge Police Department has detained a male high school student believed to be connected to recent explosions and loud booms in Oak Ridge.

Police worked with Oak Ridge Schools to identify the suspect, who is a student at Oak Ridge High School.

On Saturday, Jan. 13, an explosion occurred near Blankenship Field. A second explosion was reported on Monday, Jan. 15, at Milt Dickens Park, according to the city of Oak Ridge.

No injuries were reported in either incident and investigators said they do not believe there was any malicious intent.

Oak Ridge Police said the Knoxville Police Department Bomb Squad assisted them with a search of a vehicle in the school parking lot after they learned potential evidence was inside the student's vehicle.

The school parking lot off the Turnpike was blocked off to traffic, but police said there was no danger to the public.

Evidence was recovered from the vehicle and the area was deemed safe, the city said.

Officials said the student was taken to the Anderson County Juvenile Detention Center and faces multiple criminal charges. He's set to appear in juvenile court on Wednesday.

Before You Leave, Check This Out