Emergency crews on the scene where Manchester Police found two explosives on Wednesday morning.. Photo by Tiffany Clutter
Manchester Police was called to Walker Street Wednesday morning where (according to Chief Investigator Jackie Matheny confirmed for WMSR News) an explosive device was found. The investigator said that a Coffee County Jail trustee found the device in a ditch near the Coffee County Highway Department. A second explosive device was located a short distance from the first one. Both were active.
Manchester officers received a search warrant on Wednesday night for a home on Shelton Town Road in the 16th Model area of Coffee County. At that location officers found 2 more pipe bombs, bringing the total to four.
Chief Investigator Matheny arrested Justin Lee McCart, age 29, at his residence on Shelton Town Road and charged him with 4 counts of prohibited weapons. McCart is being housed at the Coffee County Jail.
People within 300-feet of the location on Walker St on Wednesday morning were asked to leave the area for safety reasons.
Matheny said that they do not believe this has anything to do with Bonnaroo. Police consider this to be an isolated incident.
Manchester Police called for assistance from the Tennessee Bomb and Arson Unit to safely detonate the devices at an offsite location. Manchester Police, ATF and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are working together in the investigation.
Matheny statement to WMSR News:
