An Indiana home was rocked by a hand grenade explosion, claiming the life of a father and injuring two of his children.
Bryan Niedert, 46, was declared dead at his residence on West Lakeshore Drive. The precise cause and manner of death will be determined following an autopsy, scheduled for Monday, May 22, as per the coroner’s office.
Deputies from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department responded to 911 calls regarding an explosion in the Lakes of the Four Seasons subdivision. The incident happened around 6:30 pm on Saturday, May 20. Upon arrival, they discovered an unconscious man and two wounded teenagers.
The injured children, a 14-year-old boy, and an 18-year-old girl, were quickly transported to a nearby hospital due to shrapnel wounds, as indicated in a press release by the sheriff’s department. The exact location of the detonation, whether inside or outside the house, remains uncertain.
The incident unfolded as family members sorted through their grandfather’s possessions and discovered a hand grenade. Initial reports from sheriff’s officials suggested that someone may have removed the pin from the device. However, an update on Sunday clarified that it remained unclear whether this was the case.
As the investigation proceeded on Sunday, detectives considered the possibility that the device might have self-detonated due to factors such as age, if the pin had been pulled, or if any other circumstances contributed to the explosion. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department, including members of the Crime Scene Investigations unit and homicide detectives, is leading these inquiries.
The Porter County Bomb Squad was contacted by the authorities to ensure the area’s safety and search for any additional explosive devices. The incident remains an active investigation, with ongoing efforts by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department’s Crime Scene Investigations unit and homicide detectives.
