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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Dry ice bomb in Walmart parking lot lands man in court

Curiosity led to criminal charges for 27-year-old Damian Eiffert on Thursday.

Just before 10 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to the Walmart at 1221 S. Hayford Road in Airway Heights. An officer arrived just as Eiffert bolted in a black Ford Mustang, according to a police report. He left behind a water bottle in the parking lot filled with dry ice and lemonade.

The cocktail exploded, but no injuries were reported. While the cap of the bottle shot into the air and wasn't recovered, the aluminum bottle did not shatter.

Eiffert was later discovered at Northern Quest Casino, about a mile north of the Walmart. An officer found an open bag of dry ice on the floor of the 2000 Mustang Eiffert was driving.

When questioned, Eiffert said he made the dry ice bomb because he "wanted to see what would happen," according to the report. He provided no explanation for why he left before the device exploded.

Eiffert appeared in court Thursday, charged with malicious placement of an explosive in the second degree.

Also on Thursday, a 22-year-old park worker at Disneyland was arrested in connection with a dry ice bomb left in a trash can at the Anaheim, Calif., amusement park. That device caused an evacuation of Mickey's Toontown briefly Tuesday afternoon, but no one was injured.

Kip Hill

Kip Hill joined The Spokesman-Review in 2013. He currently is a correspondent for the City Desk.

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