Indiana woman made Monster Energy bombs she planned to use at her old high school, police say
An Indiana 19-year-old was arrested and charged on Thursday after authorities discovered homemade explosive devices in Monster Energy drinks she planned to detonate at her old high school, police said.
Ahnna Tipton was being transported by an Evansville police officer to a hospital for evaluation on Thursday, when officials found a suspicious item in Tipton's backpack during intake, according to an Evansville Police Department press release Friday.
"The object appeared to be a pill bottle wrapped in duct tape, with a matchstick protruding from the lid and a piece of cloth attached," the release stated.
An aluminum pipe was also found in the backpack, with both ends sealed with duct tape, authorities said. Hospital officials identified flammable materials inside the pipe and noted a strong chemical odor.
The Evansville Police Department Bomb Technicians arrived at the scene and examined the materials, determining they were improvised incendiary devices, officials said.
Authorities said Tipton admitted in an interview with technicians that she assembled the devices and revealed there were more located at her home in Warrick County, neighboring Evansville on the Kentucky border.
A search warrant was executed at the residence, where the Evansville Hazardous Devices Unit found two more explosive devices concealed in Monster Energy drink bottles, officials said. The construction of the devices and materials matched those found in Tipton's backpack.
"During a post-Miranda interview, Tipton revealed that she had planned to deploy the devices at the high school she previously attended, with the intent to cause harm to others," the release stated.
Tipton was arrested on a charge of possession of a destructive device and booked in the Vanderburgh County Jail on Thursday evening, according to the jail's recent booking records. It is not clear if she has an attorney.
Tipton's bond was set at $50,000 on Friday, according to online Vanderburgh Circuit Court records. Her initial hearing is scheduled for June 4.
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