More explosions heard at Sampson County home where 2 SBI agents were hurt during blast

Jimmy Tyndall, 33, of 3260 Fayetteville Highway, was being held Friday on several charges, including three counts of possession of weapon of mass destruction, misdemeanor larceny, speeding, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamines, authorities said. Tyndall was being held on a bond of $151,000 at the Sampson County jail.

Late Friday, more explosions were heard at the site as authorities continued to clear the residence of bomb-making chemicals, officials said. In a press release Friday evening, an SBI official said units will remain at the residence and will "properly dispose of any bomb-making materials as part of the render safe mission. As a result, explosions may be heard during this time."

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Luper and Special Agent Brian Joy were rushed for medical treatment after the blast. Joy was flown to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill and was in critical condition, the SBI said.

Luper was also taken to the burn center and was listed in stable condition, authorities said.

Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said during a news conference that Tyndall was originally stopped by deputies Thursday afternoon on suspicion of speeding in Spivey's Corner before a police K9 smelled narcotics, which led to a search of the man's vehicle. The traffic stop occurred on U.S. Highway 13 at U.S. Highway 421, according to authorities.

During the vehicle search, at least three pipe bombs were found, and they were detonated at the scene, Thornton said.

The vehicle search led investigators to the man's home on JV Farm Road in Dunn off of U.S. Highway 13, where two pipe bombs and a large amount of bomb making materials were found.

The SBI officers were members of the agency's bomb squad, and they where hurt when the chemicals at the man's house ignited.

"It was a heckuva boom," Thorton said. "It was a powerful blast."

One of the agents was badly burned, and Thorton said charges against Tyndall could be upgraded based on the sheriff's office ongoing investigation into the matter.

Thornton said they don't believe the suspect was plotting anything nefarious.

"I doubt if his intentions was to blow anyone up," the sheriff said. "I think it was just one of those things he got off on."

Thornton said Tyndall was found with a pipe bomb last year when he was pulled over. The sheriff said Tyndall's girlfriend was in the vehicle at the time and she said the explosive belonged to her.

She was charged in connection with that incident, Thornton said.