Shock absorber thrown in bonfire causes $25,000 bond for suspect in Arizona explosion

Phoenix police are investigating an explosion at a Halloween gathering in the desert that left a teenager with severe injuries. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, October 30. Detectives say a man threw a vehicle component into a fire, which then detonated. The blast struck several people with debris. Only one person sustained serious injuries.

The victim is Jaidynn Penberthy, 16. Her brother, Ethan Glass, stated that she was standing 10 feet from the fire when the shock absorber exploded. The force of the blast knocked her unconscious. Glass described the scene as having a lot of blood. He said strangers performed lifesaving measures on Penberthy. One girl performed sternum rubs to try to restore Penberthy's pulse. Glass said the girl believed Penberthy lost her pulse for about one minute. Friends drove Penberthy for help and called 911.

Penberthy suffered a broken jaw, multiple facial fractures, missing teeth, and burns. Glass said the shrapnel struck her face almost square in the mouth and nose. The debris also hit the side of her face. Penberthy was flown to a burn center. She underwent facial reconstruction surgery. Glass said she still requires several more operations. He noted that she has been crying due to pain and difficulty breathing. Glass said his sister is thankful to be alive. A GoFundMe page was created to help cover her medical expenses.

Police identified Samuel Wolf Schnee, 24, as the suspect. Court records show he was booked on three counts of aggravated assault. He also faces seven counts of endangerment. Schnee appeared in court early Saturday morning. State prosecutor Dawn Sauer called his actions extremely reckless. Sauer said Schnee admitted to throwing an old shock or strut into the fire. She noted that he claimed he drilled holes to release harmful chemicals. Sauer said he knew those chemicals were inside the part.

Schnee's attorney, Jerald Schreck, argued that the state had not confirmed which item caused the explosion. Schreck also said the prosecution could not reasonably identify Schnee as the person who threw the item. A judge found probable cause in the case. The judge noted that at least two or three witnesses identified Schnee as the person who placed a shock in the fire. The judge stated that proximate cause would be decided at trial. This legal issue determines if Schnee's actions directly led to the injuries.

Schreck asked the judge to release Schnee on his own recognizance. Sauer requested a $75,000 bond. Schreck argued that Schnee is not a danger to the community. He cited Schnee's background as an Eagle Scout and lifeguard. Schreck said Schnee has no criminal history and is not a flight risk because his family lives locally. The judge acknowledged that Schnee posed a danger during the incident. The judge did not believe he poses a danger now. She set the bond at $25,000. Court records show Schnee posted bond and was released.