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SALT LAKE CITY — Charges have been filed against a Kearns man whose alleged bomb threat prompted the evacuation of several homes and the lockdown of an elementary school.
The man told police he hoped that the bomb scare would prompt them to shoot him, according to charging documents.
Kristopher England, 35, was charged with threat of terrorism, a second-degree felony, in 3rd District Court Friday.
Officers were called to England's home at 5630 S. Honeysuckle Way (5370 West) for a domestic incident. When they arrived they met England and reported that he "appeared highly agitated."
"England stated that he had very little sleep over the last two days and was protecting his family from people who wanted to harm him," the charges state. "England said he was bipolar and schizophrenic and was using meth to stay awake."
The man apparently asked police officers if they knew about the effect of nitrous oxide and informed them that it could "level" the surrounding area. These statements prompted an officer to look inside a vehicle in front of England's home, where he saw several blue tanks attached by wires to the front console. The officer also observed a braided steel hose connecting the tanks to the engine area.
England stated that he had very little sleep over the last two days and was protecting his family from people who wanted to harm him. England said he was bipolar and schizophrenic and was using meth to stay awake.
–per the charging documents
"(The officer) asked England how the system worked and he stated by 'remote,'" the charges state. "England then stated, 'I gotta tell you something, I rigged my car.'"
The man then lifted a key and held it up as though he was going to activate it. Crisis workers were evacuated and the officers contained England, who pushed the button on the key.
It opened the back hatch of the vehicle.
After being ordered several times, England dropped the key and was taken into custody.
The incident prompted a call to a Unified Fire Authority bomb squad and the evacuation of approximately 30 surrounding homes. A lockdown was also initiated at nearby Beehive Elementary School, 5655 S. 5220 West.
"While the area was being evacuated further, England stated that the car wasn't rigged to blow and he only said that so officers would shoot him," the charges state.
His initial court appearance has been scheduled for Feb. 20.
