News

A Eureka man was arrested June 3 on suspicion of detonating an explosive device in a Bayshore Mall parking lot that sent debris flying more than 250 feet, nearly hitting two people, according to the Eureka Police Department.

According to a news release, Casey William Moore, 44, who was identified as a suspect during an investigation of the June 2 incident, was arrested without incident in Arcata and was found to be in possession of “explosive chemicals, compounds, and homemade fuses.”

The EPD states the explosion set off around 10:30 a.m. was heard and felt at least a half mile away from the detonation site in an overflow parking lot of the mall.

Moore was booked into the Humboldt County jail on suspicion of “possession of an explosive device, reckless possession of an explosive device, and possession of materials to make a destructive device without a permit,” according to the EPD release.

The EPD also reminded residents not to touch a device that seems suspicious or out of place but to call law enforcement.

Read the EPD release below:

On June 2, 2022, at about 10:30 a.m., an explosive device was detonated in the overflow parking area of the 3300 block of Broadway in Eureka.

The explosion was heard and felt from at least a ½ mile away and debris traveled over 250 feet, nearly striking two citizens.

Detectives and an Evidence Technician responded to collect evidence. During the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as 44-year-old Casey William Moore of Eureka. Due to the potential danger to the public, detectives authored a search warrant for Moore and his vehicle.

On June 3, 2022, Moore was located in Arcata and detained without incident. Moore was found to be in possession of explosive chemicals, compounds, and homemade fuses.

Moore was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for possession of an explosive device, reckless possession of an explosive device, and possession of materials to make a destructive device without a permit.

The Eureka Police Department would like to thank Bayshore Mall Security, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal team for their assistance with this investigation.

If you see a device that seems suspicious or out of place in your neighborhood, do not touch or move it, but contact your local law enforcement.