Main, left to right: Jason Showers and Megan Showers (Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office). Inset: The victim, identified as “David” (WXYZ).
A 45-year-old Michigan man and his wife are accused of throwing an explosive device — marked with the words “BYE BYE” — into their elderly neighbor’s yard, prompting police to search the couple’s home and allegedly uncover firearms, ammunition and bomb-making materials.
Jason Showers and Megan Showers, 38, were taken into custody this week and charged with multiple felonies stemming from the incident outside their home, authorities announced.
Both defendants are charged with one count each of placing explosives near property and possession of bombs with unlawful intent. Jason Showers faces additional felony charges in connection with the alleged attack.
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According to a news release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, the incident took place on Aug. 3 outside the couple’s home in St. Clair Shores, which is about 15 miles northeast of Detroit.
“Megan Showers lit the explosive device held by Jason Showers prior to him throwing it in their 72-year-old neighbor’s yard,” prosecutors wrote in the release. “The red, cylindrical device with the words ‘BYE BYE’ was extinguished by the neighbor.”
Law enforcement later executed a search warrant at the couple’s residence, where investigators allegedly recovered firearms, ammunition and materials used to assemble explosive devices.
“The allegations in this case are serious and especially troubling because they involve a senior member of our community,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement. “My office is committed to protecting public safety and prosecuting cases where individuals are accused of endangering others.”
The victim, identified as David by Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ, told the station he had just returned home from the grocery store when he looked out his window and saw the alleged attack unfolding.
“I put [the groceries] on the kitchen table, I looked right out the window,” he said. “And [Jason Showers] got his arm cocked back, she lights the fuse and it lands right here. And then it’s sparking, and smoking and smoldering and I’m waiting for an explosion and nothing happened, thank the Lord.”
David said he believes the explosive device was intended to seriously injure or kill him.
“Oh yeah, he definitely wanted to harm me in a serious way,” he told WXYZ. “He’s got this explosive device there. I could have been killed or maimed or something could have happened.”
The victim said the incident was the latest in what he described as years of problems with his neighbors.
“One of his favorite things to do was to put explosives on my gas meter,” David said. “I was living like in constant on the edge and discomfort not knowing what is he going to do next.”
Neighbors told local media they were startled by the heavy police response and relieved the couple had been arrested. One neighbor described “always drama” at the residence, while another said they “didn’t expect the explosives.”
In addition to those charges, Jason Showers faces counts of possession of firearms by a prohibited person, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person and two counts of felony-firearm, along with a fourth-offense habitual offender enhancement that could expose him to a life sentence.
A judge set Jason Showers’ bond at $100,000 cash-only, records show. If released, he is required to wear a GPS device, is prohibited from having contact with the victim or his co-defendant and must stay away from his home due to its proximity to the victim.
Megan Showers was granted $20,000 bond. Upon release, she must wear a GPS device and cannot have contact with either her husband or the alleged victim. Unlike her husband, she would be permitted to return to their marital home.
Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court for a probable cause conference on Aug. 14, records show.
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