Cops: Teen hurt while making pipe bomb

NORTH BABYLON (WABC) -- A teen was injured while mixing dangerous materials in the basement of a home in North Babylon.

Eyewitness News is told 17-year-old Vincent Pizzonia was hurt in his Pell Avenue basement just before 7:30 p.m. Monday when what appeared to be a homemade pipe bomb detonated.

He was then taken by his parents to Good Samaritan Hospital for treatment, reportedly suffering from severe hand injuries.

Detectives from the Arson Squad and bomb technicians from the Emergency Service Section determined that an improvised explosive device had exploded in the basement of the home. A search warrant was obtained and officers searched the entire premises for bomb components, devices and explosives. Some items of evidence were recovered. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are assisting in the investigation.

Pizzonia's father is a former police officer, and authorities believe Pizzonia was using gun powder he found in old bullets. Sources also say Pizzonia had pictures of the Columbine High School shooters on his wall. Classmates describe him as a "loner."

Pizzonia's school released the following statement:

"The news media have reported that a North Babylon High School student was injured at his home last night in an explosion. As a precaution, to ensure the safety of all students and staff, we conducted a backpack search of all high school students upon entry into the building this morning and North Babylon High School is on a modified lockdown which means that students may move freely within the building, but no one is permitted to leave the building. Thank you for your attention regarding this matter."

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