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IRON STATION, N.C. – Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies are working to determine if a batch of homemade PVC pipe bombs set off in a family’s front yard could be connected to nearby hateful markings, including the letters “KKK,” “f*** the black people,” and a drawing of a hanged man. Lt. Tim Johnson says, “Could be racist, hate type crime, we’re not sure. But we’re gonna work every angle.”
The spray-painted symbols and words–as well as what appears to be a burn mark and broken pieces of PVC plastic–are just down the street from where the pipe bombs were set off in the front yard of the home on Dalmatian Street.
An African-American family lives in the home: dad, mom and two small kids. It happened just before 12:30 Monday morning. The dad heard an explosion and called 911. Investigators have been working the case ever since. “We’re waiting to talk to a few people this afternoon, probably won’t be home til 6 or 6:30,” says Johnson.
Only WCCB cameras were there as detectives did question the people who live in a nearby home– in the same cul-de-sac where those spray painted markings and broken piece of plastic were found.
Neighbors who spoke with WCCB were shaken by what happened. “I just think it’s kinda crazy. I don’t understand someone who would do something like that, honestly,” says resident Danielle Chrisley. Resident Dave Hudson says, “I never woulda thought anything like this would have occurred this close to our house. That’s pure terrorism.”
The Sheriff’s Office doesn’t want to say exactly how many bombs were found (the exact number is part of the investigation) but did confirm at least three. They also reiterated the bombs were dangerous; pieces of hard plastic were everywhere and it’s uncertain what else was inside them. The pipe bombs, some of which were taped to propane canisters, started two small fires in the front yard, but no one was hurt. Johnson says, “Until we find out who did it, we’re not gonna quit.”
The family didn’t want to speak on-camera. The Gastonia Police Bomb Squad safely detonated the remaining devices found in the yard. Patrols have been stepped up around the neighborhood. So far, no arrests have been made.
