The Pleasant Hill Police Department say a 15-year-old male has turned himself in after a firework was found on Pleasant Hill Middle School campus grounds.
On Monday, April 17th, the Pleasant Hill Police dispatchers received calls reporting an explosion on a walking path in the area of 2800 Contra Costa Boulevard. When officers arrived on location, paramedics were already on the scene and treating a 14-year old boy for significant injuries sustained to his hand after lighting a firework. He was taken to Children’s Hospital Oakland by ambulance for immediate treatment.
Pleasant Hill Police asked for the community to assist them in identifying a suspect in a series of photographs they released to the media and the public.
On May 5, a 15 year-old boy came into the Pleasant Hill Police Department with his parent and provided a voluntary statement confirming he was the person depicted in the photographs & video that lit the explosive firework on the Pleasant Hill Middle School campus.
The police investigation has concluded and there is no outstanding threat to public safety. This case will be taken to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office for review.
According to police, investigators determined that the illegal firework had been found on the Pleasant Hill Middle School campus earlier that same day. Campus video surveillance footage showed an unknown male suspect bringing the illegal firework onto school grounds on Sunday, April 16th, at around 2pm.
While no children or others were present, the suspect walked into one of the outdoor hallways, placed the firework on the ground, and lit it. Although the firework initially ignited, it did not detonate. The suspect then walked off campus, leaving the unexploded firework behind.
The following day, that unexploded illegal firework was found and was taken off of school property by the juvenile student. While on an off-campus walking path, the juvenile lit the device and it detonated in his hand.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident or the suspect’s identity is encouraged to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Department Investigations Bureau at (925) 288-4688.
