McComb police are looking for the person who threw a chemical bomb onto State Street in front of the Pike County Theatre Saturday night, alarming crowds inside watching a play.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. when someone drove by and threw a homemade bomb made out of a plastic bottle that contained chemicals and brillo pads, Sgt. Michael Roberts said.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud boom and contacted police shortly thereafter.
“We were backstage and we heard a loud bang,” PCLT board member Ryan Temple said. “A guy that was keeping an eye on the door said somebody threw a homemade explosive device from a car.”
Detective Robert Holmes said the bomb was thrown from either a white Ford Crown Victoria or Mercury Grand Marquis.
WLBT-TV reported that the vehicle was occupied by two black males. However, Holmes could not confirm a description of the suspects.
No injuries or property damage were reported as a result of the attack.
Temple said he believes the incident, which took place during a performance of “Steel Magnolias,” was likely a practical joke.
“We don’t feel like Pike County Little Theatre was in any way the target of this malicious practical joke directly,” he said. “We feel as though it was a matter of opportunity with people standing outside the building at the time.”
However, this marks the second time in the last few months that a crime has occurred outside of the theater, as well as the second time someone used a bomb in the city.
On July 15, Temple and other board members were assaulted and robbed while standing in front of the building after a meeting. Police caught the suspects about three weeks later.
On Aug. 10, police arrested a man for allegedly throwing a firebomb at a house in the 500 block of Elmwood Street after he and the homeowner got into an argument over a dog.
