Surveillance camera catches Idaho Falls bomb explosion

Two explosions rocked an Idaho Falls neighborhood in the early morning hours Saturday. Our station has obtained surveillance footage from a home across the street.

Neighbors said they believe the explosion was connected to a high school football rivalry, and police said someone could have been seriously injured.

“I heard a big explosion,” said Kimmy McCall on Sunday. “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, what happened, where is that at?'”

McCall rushed outside with the worst-case scenario rushing through her head.

“I came outside and saw some smoke,” said McCall. “I ran across the street to where the smoke was, orange paint was everywhere.”

The explosion came from a homemade bomb — a watermelon filled with orange paint. Cars in the driveway of the house targeted were painted, too — with “Go Grizz” cheers from the Skyline vs. Idaho Falls High School football game on Friday. The annual game is known as the “Emotion Bowl” for the fierce rivalry between the schools.

“I understand pranks and having fun and stuff and that the community has this big rivalry,” said McCall. “But I don’t think they realize that explosion was pretty intense.”

McCall’s husband recorded this surveillance tape. He said based on the initial explosion, it sounded like a shotgun. But looking at the tape gave the family an idea of the severity of the explosion. On Sunday, cops agreed. The Idaho Falls Police Department has looked at the tape, and investigators said it gives them a better idea of how severe the explosion was.

“Anybody could have been severely injured and or harmed,” said IFPD patrolman Sage Albright. “Those opportunities for injury cause a heightened level of concern.”

Albright said the department is taking the bomb seriously.

“Mostly we’re looking for eyewitnesses and people who might know who the suspects are,” said Albright.

Neighbors said someone needs to come forward.

“Sometimes I think kids need to learn you’ve got to be so careful,” said McCall.

If you have information about the bomb explosion on Saturday, police ask you call CrimeStoppers at (208) 522-1983 or Idaho Falls Police at 529-1200.