A teenage suspect is now in custody after allegedly breaking into a Mount Clemens home last Thursday and setting off an explosive device that caused extensive damage, as reported by CBS News Detroit. With seven people, including three young children, inside the home at the time, it is a miracle that no injuries were reported. The Macomb County Sheriff's Department managed to quickly apprehend the 17-year-old suspect, who, according to authorities, may be tried as an adult for the offense.
In the wake of the attack, the residents, victims of this harrowing ordeal, have to start anew. Delvon Lee, one of the tenants, recounted to WXYZ the moment when the explosion occurred. "You just hear a big old boom, like it was just loud," he said. "It sounded literally like someone threw an M-80 in there. Just — it blew up." While no one was physically harmed, the emotional and material toll on the family appears to be substantial.
Michelle Wilson, also a resident and victim of the incident, has publicly shared her plight through a fundraising campaign to seek help. Wilson, who has recently risen from the throes of a domestic violence situation, finds herself and her family displaced once again. The fundraiser aims to gather support for essentials that were lost in the fire. The Mount Clemens community has shown support, with city officials collecting monetary donations, as detailed by The Oakland Press.
The legal proceedings against the accused adolescent are ongoing. Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido expressed his outrage over the incident in a statement to CBS News Detroit, saying, "This was an extremely serious crime that endangered the lives of seven people and caused substantial damage to a home. I am especially outraged that the lives of two infants were put a risk." Lucido confirmed that a determination about the totality of charges will be made after a thorough evidence review. The community is now waiting to learn whether the 17-year-old will indeed be charged as an adult, as he remains lodged in the Juvenile Justice Center.
