Person of interest identified in device detonation in Southeast Baltimore, police say
A person of interest has been identified after a device was detonated near The Home Depot in Southeast Baltimore on Sunday, according to police.
Bomb squad and arson investigators are investigating a reported explosion near a Home Depot and Wendy's off Eastern Avenue.
"While this continues to be an open and active investigation, investigators have identified a person of interest in this case," a police spokesperson said.
Police said an unidentified man detonated a device in the vicinity of other people around 1:45 p.m. No injuries were reported, and no arrests have been made, according to police.
Bomb Squad and arson investigators were on the scene, along with federal law enforcement partners and the Baltimore City Fire Department.
This happened near the Wendy's and the Eastern Avenue entrance to The Home Depot.
Over the police scanner, reports were limited.
"City-wide, all units refrain from broadcasting in the area of the Home Depot 6315 Eastern Avenue," a dispatcher said.
Other units were told to hold off until the bomb squad arrived.
"Make sure the scene is secured and locked down. Do not allow the fire department to let hazmat touch anything until the squad… bomb squad arrives," a dispatcher said.
The scene was cleared around 7 p.m.
Bomb Squad and arson detectives, along with federal law enforcement partners and the Baltimore City Fire Department, are still investigating and searching for a suspect.
Suspect was on Wendy's property before fleeing
The manager of the Wendy's restaurant on Eastern Avenue called it "chaotic" when he arrived for his 3 p.m. shift.
He said police requested the restaurant's security video, and told him the male suspect was in the parking lot and was near the drive-thru before leaving the area.
"Then they went through our drive-thru. Still don't know why they did that one," Roshade, the manager at Wendy's, told WJZ.
Roshade didn't indicate if he watched the security video. He said his staff was nervous that the suspect could return to the area and cause harm to them.
"He or she is on the camera. They don't feel safe. They feel as though we should close," Roshade said.
Wendy's was forced to briefly close, but reopened around 7 p.m. The Home Depot remained open.
