UPDATE II: Tracy Bauguess surrendered to the Mecklenburg County Sherriff’s Office on outstanding warrants. Detectives from the Arson Task Force continue to investigate this case aggressively and are continuing to follow-up on information.Since this investigation is still in its early stages, more charges are possible in the future.
Anyone with information regarding the case at Turning Point Academy or with information about the possible criminal activities of the Bauguess family is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704 334-1600.
UPDATE: The CMPD Bomb Squad along with Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and ATF completed “render safe” procedures at 10622 Mt. Holly Road. Members of the Arson Task Force and CFD Hazmat are currently processing the scene for evidence and are awaiting arrival of EPA experts for evaluation of final clean-up procedures.
Based on the investigation of the Arson Task Force, triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is the highly explosive suspected in the detonation at Turning Point School on Monday. This explosive is extremely potent and unstable. During initial testing of a minute sample of the material, a spontaneous detonation injured three members of the CFD HazMat response team which was assisting the CMPD Bomb Squad and Arson Task Force. All three members were treated and released for injuries which could have been more devastating.
A significant quantity of this suspected explosive and precursor materials was located inside the residence. The quantity located was capable of extreme damage and loss of life within the community. Yesterday evening and continuing today, render safe procedures were executed by the bomb squad within the residence.
As the investigation progressed, evidence collected resulted in warrants being obtained on Tracy Bauguess, the mother of Jesse Bauguess. She has been charged with 3 counts of malicious injury by use of an explosive device and one count of possession of a weapon of mass destruction; she has not yet been taken into custody. Ms. Bauguess drives a purple Honda Civic, NC Tag XRJ-2678. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Ms. Bauguess is asked to call 911 immediately to have a patrol officer dispatched to their location.
This investigation is still in its early stages. More charges are possible as police move forward.
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Law enforcement officers went to the suspected teens' home on Mt. Holly Road Monday afternoon. About 30 nearby residents and a business were evacuated while police searched the teens' home for explosives or bomb-making materials. During their investigation, police questioned 16-year old Jessie Bauguess and his 15-year-old brother. Police are not releasing the younger brother's name since he is a minor.During their search, three firefighters suffered minor injuries when a product they were testing exploded. Jessie Bauguess was charged on Monday with five felony counts: malicious use of explosive damage to property, malicious use of explosives injury, arson/unlawful burning resulting in serious injury to firefighter (3 counts). He was also charged with one misdemeanor count of possession of weapon on school grounds. Bauguess is being held at the Mecklenburg County jail under a $500,000 bond.
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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Bomb Squad was dispatched to 2300 West Sugar Creek Road at CMS' Turning Point Academy, in reference to a suspicious explosive device. The incident took place at 9:16 a.m. on October 18, 2010 in the University City Division.
A student was injured by a small explosive device (pen) on the school property. The student was transported to an area hospital for treatment of injuries which were determined to be non-life threatening. The remaining students and staff were evacuated to a safe location and are providing information and statements that may be helpful during the course of the investigation.
Turning Point Academy is an alternative school within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District for students who have experienced disciplinary problems at other CMS schools.
Charlotte Fire Department, the HAZMAT team, the Arson Task Force, the Bomb Squad, Canine Units, Medic, Charlotte Mecklenburg School’s Police Department, state and federal agencies are all on scene assisting with the continued investigation.