Police are investigating after someone threw a “civilian-style flash-bang” device near an early voting site Wednesday afternoon in Aberdeen.
“Yesterday, on February 18, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Aberdeen Police Department received a call about activity near the early voting poll at Aberdeen Lake Park,” reports Capt. Shannon Blackburn with the APD. “Upon arrival, witnesses advised they heard a loud noise and saw a small explosion and believed a transformer had blown, at approximately 2:15 p.m.”
Officers later located a civilian-style flash-bang device several feet off the roadway at U.S. 1 and Lake Shore Drive. The early voting site was set up inside the Aberdeen Lake Park building, about 150 yards from where the device was found.
“Officers interviewed approximately 30 witnesses, who all believed the device was thrown from a moving vehicle traveling southbound on U.S. 1,” says Blackburn. “A suspect or vehicle description was not observed or reported.”
No one was injured during the event, and no property damage was reported.
Following the incident, the police department increased patrols in the area and maintained a visible presence as a precaution. Authorities said the incident appears to be isolated, and they have not received any additional threats.
Investigators plan to submit evidence to the State Crime Lab for testing. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Capt. Blackburn at 910-944-4566. Tips can also be submitted through Facebook Messenger or anonymously at 910-944-4561.
Police are offering a $500 reward for verifiable information that leads to an arrest.
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File photo.
