KC Fireworks Lunacy - HM 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
Honorable Mention: (Oh so close!)
Posted on Fri, Jul. 05, 2002
en face weapons charges in connection with explosion in van
By KIT WAGAR
The Kansas City Star
A bad aim led to felony charges Thursday against four Missouri men.
Police said one of the men tried to toss a 12-inch-long explosive from the passenger window of a van as it traveled east on Bannister Road about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday. Instead, the device fell to the floor.
The would-be bomb thrower told police he jumped into the back seat as the device exploded, tearing apart the passenger door and blowing out several windows, according to court records.
"Witnesses told officers the passenger exited the van and staggered around," court records stated. He then helped the driver push the smoldering van into the parking lot of the Berbiglia Wine & Spirits store on Bannister Road near Troost Avenue.
Jackson County prosecutors charged Deandre Fugate, 21, of Raymore and Damon Franklin, 24, of Kansas City with possession of an illegal weapon and knowingly detonating an explosive weapon. The possession charge is a class C felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. The detonating charge is a class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
In the parking lot, police officers found seven 12-inch-long explosives made of cardboard tubes with a red fuse protruding from one end.
A sworn affidavit said Fugate acknowledged buying eight explosives from a man he met at a barber shop on Troost Avenue.
"These explosive devices were determined to be readily capable of causing injury, death or property damage," the affidavit said.
Franklin, whom court records identify as Fugate's cousin, told police he lighted one of the devices and tried to throw it out the window. But the bomb fell to the floor and exploded.
Police later went to Blades Barber Shop at 5437 Troost Avenue, where they questioned Derrick Williams of Kansas City. Williams, 28, showed police two 12-inch explosives and five smaller ones, court records indicated. Williams said he received them from a man later identified as Donald Allison of Kansas City.
Allison, 26, described the devices as fireworks. He acknowledged having five of the explosives left after buying 10, igniting three and giving two away, according to court records.
Allison and Williams each were charged with one count of possession of illegal weapons, a class C felony.
Submitted on 07/05/2002
Submitted by:
Wahoowah
Reference:
Kansas City Star 07/05/2002
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