Fullerton IED explosion: Homeless man seriously injured, facing charges after incident outside Denny's restaurant

ByJessica De Nova and ABC7.com staff KABC logo
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Fullerton: Man seriously injured in IED explosion outside Denny's
A 59-year-old man was seriously injured and is expected to be charged after an improvised explosive device exploded outside a Denny's restaurant in Fullerton.

FULLERTON, Calif. (KABC) -- A 59-year-old homeless man was seriously injured Friday morning and is expected to be charged after an improvised explosive device exploded outside a Denny's restaurant in Fullerton, authorities said.

The incident was reported at 8:50 a.m. in the 1100 block of South Harbor Boulevard, according to the Fullerton Police Department. The man was transported to a trauma center with injuries to his face and hands. He is expected to survive.

A sheriff's bomb squad responded to the scene and nearby businesses were evacuated. No structures were damaged.

An investigation indicated the explosion, which occurred near the side of the restaurant, was not electrical in nature as initially reported by a caller, police Lt. Jon Radus said.

Bomb squad deputies also located a second IED and rendered it safe, authorities said.

Charges will be sought against the injured man, according to police. His identity was not immediately disclosed.

Harbor Boulevard was reopened between Orangethorpe Avenue and Southgate Avenue after being closed for several hours.