MELBOURNE, Florida — On Sunday, November 25 at 12:22 a.m., Melbourne Police responded to a report of a student at the Florida Institute of Technology who caused a disturbance with security and detonated a destructive device on campus.
Police say that the ensuing investigation revealed that Christian Barnes Duke, age 19, possessed a destructive device that he made from common household chemicals and items.
The combination of the ingredients used by Duke caused a chemical reaction that brings the compound to a high temperature, thus causing extreme pressure to build within the container by the expanding gas until the device explodes.
Duke allegedly placed this device in a stairwell within the school dorm and detonated the device causing a loud blast that disrupted other students who were in the building at the time. Police say that Duke stated that he learned how to make the device by watching a Discovery Channel TV show called “MythBusters.” Officials say the destructive device used by Duke had great potential to damage property or cause bodily injury.
Duke was charged with Possessing a Destructive Device on School Property, a 3rd Degree Felony; and Making, Possessing, Placing and Discharging a Destructive Device, also a 3rd Degree Felony
If you have any information regarding this incident, police as that you please call Crimeline: 1-800-423-TIPS (8477) or The Melbourne Police Department’s Crime Tip Line: 321-409-2259
