NORFOLK -- Police say a rape suspect threw an explosive device in the bushes behind a Norfolk school, forcing it to close for two hours Friday.
This was a scheduled SOL make up day at Sherwood Elementary School, so testing will be postponed until Monday, spokeswoman Jennifer Francis said.
Battalion Chief Harry Worley said, "It was not intended to target the school or children. The individual made it to harm himself."
Police spokesman Chris Amos said police were called to the Tinee Giant, across the street from the school, around 6:00 a.m. about a man who was suicidal.
After learning it was Allen Jacob Troutman, 19, officer arrived at the store and he ran onto school grounds.
"During the arrest, he said he'd overdosed on meds, so he was sent to the hospital and during transport, he said he'd made a device and thrown it in the bushes. He also said he told them because he didn't want kids or anyone getting hurt," Amos stated.
The device was located in the bushes, right where he said it would be, Amos added.
The joint bomb team from Norfolk Police and Norfolk Fire and Rescue used a robot to look at the device and placed a charge next to it, and then that charge was detonated to render the device safe.
Bomb sniffing dogs and police went through the school to make sure no danger was inside.
"We're doing that as a precaution," Chief Worley said.
The school was cleared by 10:30 a.m. and school began at 11:00 a.m., Francis stated.
Police also went to Trout's apartment on Azalea Garden Road to look for evidence.
