Chemical Device Explodes, Injures Child In Popular Highlands Ranch Park
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (CBS4) - At least one child was injured when the child picked up a plastic package and it exploded at a Highlands Ranch Park Tuesday afternoon.
The child has been hospitalized and as many as four others may have been injured in the incident at popular Dad Clark Park located near Highlands Ranch Parkway and University Boulevard.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Department says the boys were playing with what looked like a plastic container.
"There were five very young kids that were in the park, and what they were doing … they were playing with this plastic bottle type device," Sgt. Ron Hanavan with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said. "Ultimately we believe it was some type of acid device. At some point this device actually went off or exploded."
Hanavan said of the five children in the area, one of them received a type of minor injury after the chemical device exploded in the child's face.
"I saw what I'm assuming was the father take out a little boy, a little blonde kid," a witness told CBS4. "My neighbor … I'm not sure she saw the explosion, but she said that the kid had opened a bottle … it had an improvised explosive device, and that he would probably need stitches."
Hanavan said he's not sure if the device was planted in the park.
"We're basically asking anybody with information that they may have to please contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office," he said. "But we'd also say, if you see anything suspicious, by all means call 911."
Hanavan said the investigation is ongoing but wanted to put the public at ease, saying resources have been diverted and all parks in the area were being checked for anything unusual. As of 7:30 p.m. nothing suspicious had been found in other parks.
Additional Information From The Douglas County Sheriff's Office
If you have any information about this, please call our Investigations tip line at 303.660.7579. If you see something suspicious, please call 911.
