A big boom that startled many people in the Lakewood-Busti area Sunday evening turned out to be the explosion of a target shooting accessory, Lakewood-Busti police said Monday.
The boom was reported at about 6:15 p.m., prompting wild speculation among those who heard it. One person called police concerned that it was a meteor creating a sonic boom.
Police interviewed a 20-year-old man who admitted he had mixed three six-pound boxes of Tannerite, a legal explosive, and then shot the product with a 30.06 rifle in a ravine on Lawson Road in the Town of Busti.
Tannerite is sold in sporting good stores as a target shooting accessory and creates a large, noisy and smoky explosion.
According to its manufacturer, it does not cause fires and goes off only when hit by a rifle bullet.
The substance is sold in half-pound packages.
“It was never intended to be used at 18 pounds at a time,” said Sgt. Paul Gustofson.
No one was hurt, and no damage was reported. Charges have not been filed, Gustofson said.
email: mbecker@buffnews.com
The boom was reported at about 6:15 p.m., prompting wild speculation among those who heard it. One person called police concerned that it was a meteor creating a sonic boom.
Police interviewed a 20-year-old man who admitted he had mixed three six-pound boxes of Tannerite, a legal explosive, and then shot the product with a 30.06 rifle in a ravine on Lawson Road in the Town of Busti.
Tannerite is sold in sporting good stores as a target shooting accessory and creates a large, noisy and smoky explosion.
According to its manufacturer, it does not cause fires and goes off only when hit by a rifle bullet.
The substance is sold in half-pound packages.
“It was never intended to be used at 18 pounds at a time,” said Sgt. Paul Gustofson.
No one was hurt, and no damage was reported. Charges have not been filed, Gustofson said.
email: mbecker@buffnews.com