This week’s Disneyland blast in Toontown was traced back to a device hidden in a trash can and made with dry ice, and a worker in the park was charged in connection with the small explosion.
While the Disneyland blast did not injure any guests or employees and no damage was done to Toontown, the area of the park in Anaheim was forced to close for two hours in the aftermath.
After the explosion, Disney twitter accounts confirmed that the blast had prompted an evacuation from the area of the park in an abundance of caution.
Later this week, Disney employee Christian Barnes, 22, of Long Beach, was arrested in connection with the Disneyland blast.
Barnes was charged with one felony count of possession of a destructive device in a public place. After his arrest, police disclosed that not only did they find the trash can explosive, but that Barnes had hidden a second dry ice device in his vending cart.
Anaheim police Sgt. Bob Dunn said of Barnes’ actions after the arrest:
“We’re not certain that he understood the full weight of what would happen when this did go off in those trash cans … Is it possible that it was a prank? Absolutely … Are we investigating it as a crime? Absolutely.”
Raymond Barnes, the young man’s father, told local news sources that the Disneyland blast was “an unfortunate mistake” and added of his son:
“He’s not someone that would do something to hurt anyone or anything like that … He’s not violent at all.”
The elder Barnes continued:
“They have a right to check into things thoroughly, and I understand that … But when the smoke clears, they’ll see that he’s a very good kid.”
After the Disneyland blast, bail for Barnes was set at $500,000, down from $1 million. if convicted, he faces six years in prison.