PEORIA, Ariz. — A Halloween bonfire in the desert on Oct. 30 turned deadly when an explosion injured a 16‑year‑old teen and several other partygoers. Police say they identified 24‑year‑old Samuel W. Schnee as the suspect, relying on a Snapchat post and a personalized license‑plate match.
How investigators connected the suspect
According to newly released court documents, a Snapchat account shared by a bonfire attendee posted a video that captured the moment an unknown individual threw an object into the fire. The username later changed to reference a black Chevrolet Silverado. Schnee owns a black Silverado with a personalized plate that mirrors the Snapchat handle, giving investigators a concrete lead.
Witnesses at the scene described seeing a white man with blonde hair toss an item into the flames before the blast. One witness said the man fled in a black Silverado, while another recalled the man laughing and being the “first one to bolt out” of the area. The same witness quoted the suspect saying, “I just threw a shock into the fire,” roughly 40 minutes before the explosion.
Suspect’s statements and charges
Police spoke with Schnee at his home three days after the incident. In court filings, he admitted attending the bonfire and throwing a piece of aluminum—described as an old strut—into the fire. He claimed he had drilled the strut beforehand to remove chemicals and that it had no built‑up pressure. Schnee told investigators he threw the strut about 45 minutes before the blast, arguing he could not be responsible for the explosion.
Schnee faces multiple felony counts, including three counts of aggravated assault and seven counts of endangerment. He was arrested on Friday, appeared in court early Saturday, and posted bond later that day.
Injuries sustained
The explosion caused severe injuries to several young adults and minors. One victim suffered second‑degree burns on his leg, elbow, head and ears, along with cuts from trampling and broken glass, and expects to miss about a month of work.
Another man standing a few feet from the fire incurred third‑degree burns to his left arm and leg. A woman sustained burns to her forehead and eyelids, resulting in blisters and vision problems.
The most serious injuries belonged to 16‑year‑old Jaidynn Penberthy. She suffered a broken jaw, multiple facial fractures, missing teeth and extensive burns to her legs. Penberthy was airlifted to a burn center, underwent facial reconstruction surgery, and will require additional operations.
Legal defense and community response
Schnee’s attorney, Jerald Schreck, argued that the state lacks sufficient identification to prove Schnee threw the specific item that caused the blast and noted that officials have not confirmed which object triggered the explosion.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover Penberthy’s medical expenses, reflecting the community’s concern for the teen’s recovery.
Ongoing investigation
Police continue to review text messages and Snapchat communications for additional evidence. The investigation remains active as authorities seek to determine the exact cause of the explosion and hold any responsible parties accountable.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
