"Only in Indiana": Bryan Niedert dies from old explosive grenade, leaving netizens stunned

Modified May 22, 2023 18:33 GMT

A man, identified as Bryan Niedert, has passed away after a hand grenade exploded at a Northwest Indiana home, while he and his children were going through a grandfather's belongings. As per authorities, the incident happened on May 20, shortly before 6:30 p.m. in the Lakes of the Four Seasons gated community.

Reportedly, the family was looking through a grandfather's stuff at their house in the 3400 block of West Lakeshore Drive when they discovered a hand grenade. The grenade allegedly exploded when someone withdrew the pin.

While Bryan, 47, was found unresponsive and later died, his children, a 14-year-old son, and an 18-year-old daughter, were transported to a local hospital with shrapnel wounds. Police said that the Porter County Bomb Squad was called to clear the area and find out if there were any more explosives.

The incident shocked netizens, with one of them stating:

Screenshot of a Twitter user remarking on Bryan Niedert's grenade incident in Indiana. (Photo via @TheDailyLoud/Twitter)

Twitter reacts to the grenade incident with Bryan Niedert

After the news of Bryan Niedert being killed and his children being injured by a grenade explosion went viral, Twitterati was stunned. Several users expressed their condolences for the family of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the kids.

One of them also hinted at a controversial political stance, stating that this is the reason why people should not keep self-defense weapons at home.

Screenshot of a Twitter user remarking on Niedert's grenade incident in Indiana. (Photo via @TheDailyLoud/Twitter)

Screenshot of a Twitter user remarking on Niedert's grenade incident in Indiana. (Photo via @Phil_Lewis_/Twitter)

Police are still investigating how the grenade exploded with Bryan Niedert present

The details of Bryan Niedert's incident were first shared by County Sheriff's Department via a statement on Facebook, according to media outlet CBS. However, the post was deleted on May 21st evening.

Authorities later said they were still investigating the matter, as per NBC5 Chicago. In a statement, they said:

"[Police are] looking into whether the device may have self-detonated due to its age or other factors, whether the pin was pulled or whether any other circumstance may have been involved."

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According to ABC 7 Chicago, investigators first said that the wounded boy was 17, but then revised his age to 14. A bomb squad was sent to the area, and homicide police are currently investigating.

As per NPR, the FBI states that some families have unintentionally discovered bomb devices in the possessions of their parents' or grandparents' deceased military service members. From the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War, some veterans took bombs home as mementos.

The government says that if you find a bomb or other dangerous device, you should move away from it and call 911 right away.

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