On-Campus Explosion Update: Police Arrest Researcher David Snyder For Possession of Explosives & Firearms

UC Davis Police have arrested UC Davis Junior researcher David Snyder, 32, in connection with the Jan. 17 explosion in an on-campus apartment complex. He's still in the hospital, but he faces felony charges for possession of explossives and firearms, according to the Davis Enterprise's Lauren Keene. 

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On Jan. 17, a  Davis researcher went to a local hospital to be treated for wounds to his hands. Later that day, the apartment building was evacuated. That evening, police had to detonate explosives in a field west of campus because they could not be safely transported, according to police. 

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Here are the details, via the UC Davis News Service: 

Arraignment will take place at Yolo County Superior Court after Snyder is booked into the Yolo County Jail. Because of injuries he sustained during the explosion, Snyder cannot be booked at this time.

UC Davis officials also announced that they have placed Snyder on investigatory leave from his short-term job as a junior researcher in a campus chemistry lab. Snyder’s two-month appointment expires Jan. 31.

“While we have no information to suggest that Mr. Snyder was plotting some broader crime on the campus, in today’s environment the potential safety risk to the community must be taken extremely seriously,” said UC Davis Police Chief Matt Carmichael. 

“We are relieved that the explosion was not worse and that no members of our community other than Snyder were injured,” he said.    

Following the explosion, campus police searched Snyder’s apartment and discovered materials that can be used in making bombs, along with firearms. Some of the chemicals were found to be unsafe and were disposed of in an open area east of campus. 

Snyder was specifically charged with felony violations of California Penal Code 18715, possession of an explosive, and California Penal Code 18720, possession of any substance, material, or any combination of substances or materials, with the intent to make any destructive device or any explosive. He was also charged with two counts of possessing a firearm on campus, Penal Code 626.9(i).

Police are continuing to investigate the case and more charges may follow.

Snyder received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from UC Davis in 2004 and a Ph.D., also in chemistry, in December 2011. After earning his doctorate, he held a temporary one-year research appointment through UCSF that allowed him to work at UC Davis. That position ended in November. His current temporary job with UC Davis began in December.

ORIGINAL STORY:  If you heard any explosions in Davis Thursday night, that's because materials from a vacated building (story below) are being detonated in a field west of campus. The materials could not be safely transported, according to Lauren Keene of the Davis Enterprise. Check her out on Twitter and follow her updates. 

UC Davis Police evacuated a building in an on-campus housing complex at 418 Russell Park after discovering chemicals in an apartment. 

The situation started early Thursday morning, when a UC Davis researcher sought treatment for hand injuries at a local hospital after a "small explosion." The researcher's name has not been released. Here are some details from the UC Davis News Service: 

Some neighboring buildings will be affected, and access will be restricted throughout the day.

Police Chief Matt Carmichael said the department is investigating the incident and the situation is stable.

Expect law enforcement activity and avoid the area if possible. The general area is considered safe; a portion of the site has been cordoned off as a precaution.

Police were alerted after a UC Davis resesarcher was treated at a local hospital for hand injuries from a small explosion.

Childcare at the Russell Park Child Development Center was suspended at 8:15 a.m., at the direction of campus police.  Parents of the 10 children then at the center were called to pick up their children. Other parents were advised not to bring their children to the center, which is expected to reopen on Friday.

Russell Park, privately owned and managed by Tandem Properties Inc., is designed specifically for students with families. When available, apartments in the complex also are made available to graduate students, undergraduates and university affiliates.

Thirteen people live in the building that was evacuated. The complex includes 200 apartments, which house 600 residents.