Homemade explosive blows up, injures man

WARREN -- A man was injured Saturday when what police suspect was a homemade explosive blew up.
Michael A. Perry, 53, detonated the explosive in the back yard at 1308 Millikin Place N.E., said Sgt. Joe O'Grady of the Warren police.
O'Grady said police suspect Perry went over to the device and kicked it after it wouldn't explode. He mangled his foot and ankle, O'Grady said, and was taken into surgery at St. Joseph Health Center.
A hospital spokeswoman said late Saturday evening that his condition was satisfactory.
O'Grady said Perry was wearing boots, and that likely saved his foot from being blown off. He said police doubt the device was only fireworks. It blew a 12-inch deep hole in the yard, he said. "When it blew up, the neighbors all heard it. There was a lot of explosive material there."
O'Grady said police obtained a warrant and searched Perry's car. They also searched the house, and found no other explosives.
He said the investigation will continue next week, and that charges against Perry have not been filed but are possible.
City shooting
Police also reported a shooting Saturday morning at 1556 Niles Road. O'Grady said Thomas Howard, 20, was shot by someone he knew. The shooting happened at 1:20 a.m. No other details were available.