Pipe bomb explodes in Akron, damaging apartment

Local and federal law enforcement officials are trying to find out who set off a pipe bomb near an apartment building in Akron, sending shrapnel flying through one of the occupied units.

“There is no doubt that this detonation could have inflicted serious bodily injury or death,” Akron Borough police Chief Tom Zell said Monday.

No one was injured in the Nov. 27 blast.

Explosive specialists were called in from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The pipe bomb was detonated shortly after 4 p.m. in a wooded area behind an apartment complex in the first block of North 10th Street, the chief said.

A metal component of the bomb was later found inside one of the apartments, near a hole in its bedroom wall. There was also damage to another wall the bedroom, Zell said.

The resident was not injured.

Police said they do not believe the victim was targeted.

Police searched the area near the blast but could not find anyone or any other evidence, Zell said. A neighbor reported seeing a young male running from the wooded area right after the detonation.

Zell said there was a reason police delayed in reporting the incident that was important to the investigation. He declined to give any details.

Police ask anyone with information to call them at 717-859-6600.

Tipsters also may call Lancaster City/County Crime Stoppers at (800) 322-1913 or anonymously text LANCS plus your message to 847411 (TIP411).

Ryan Robinson is a staff writer at LNP.