MARSHALL, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — More details were released regarding the 19-year-old woman who was arrested last week, after police say she allegedly had multiple “incendiary devices” and was planning to use them at her former school.
According to court documents, Ahnna Tipton, now of Evansville, was arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device after police said she told them she planned to deploy the devices at her former school, Marshall High School, in hopes of harming other people.
On May 29, a detective with the Evansville Police Department, who is also certified as a Bomb Technician, was dispatched to St. Vincent’s Emergency Room in reference to a possible destructive device.
Upon arrival, another officer had transported Tipton to the emergency room for a psychological evaluation after she made suicidal threats, said officials. During that time, police said they allegedly found “a pill bottle wrapped in duct tape with a matchstick protruding from the lid and a piece of cloth affixed.”
Inside the same backpack, police also allegedly found a piece of aluminum piping with both ends secured by duct tape. After removing the tape from the piping, an officer saw incendiary materials inside and detected a strong chemical smell, according to court documents.
These items were confirmed to be improved incendiary devices by bomb technicians, according to officials.
During an interview with police, Tipton allegedly admitted to creating the devices and planned on initiating the devices by using a matchstick or another flammable ignition source. Tipton also allegedly told police she had two similar devices located inside her home.
Inside Tipton’s bedroom, the Evansville Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit allegedly located the two additional devices inside energy drink bottles, constructed using the same materials and design as the devices located in her backpack.
Tipton then allegedly explained to police that she had planned to use the devices at Marshall High School with the intent to commit harm, according to court documents.
“The construction of the devices demonstrates a deliberate attempt to create an improvised incendiary weapon. Of particular concern is the presence of confinement, especially in the aluminum pipe device. Confinement significantly increases the potential hazard posed by such devices. When a flammable or reactive mixture is ignited inside a confined space, pressure can rapidly build, resulting in a deflagration or low-order explosion. This can cause the container to rupture violently, dispersing hot materials and shrapnel, and dramatically increasing the likelihood of injury, fire, or structural damage,” said court documents.
The Evansville Police Department said a bomb unit was then sent to the school to check for more of these devices.
According to court documents, these devices meet the definition of a “destructive device” under Indiana Code § 35-47.5-2-4, resulting in Tipton being arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device, a level five felony.
“If deployed as designed, these devices would pose a serious risk to life and property. The intentional manufacture, possession, and planned use of such items reflect a clear and dangerous threat to public safety,” said court documents.
Tipton is scheduled for an initial court hearing on June 4 at 1:00 p.m. in the Vanderburgh Circuit Court.
