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Phoenix Police Arrest 24-Year-Old in Lake Pleasant Bonfire Explosion That Critically Injured Teen

Samuel Schnee faces aggravated assault and endangerment charges after allegedly throwing a vehicle shock absorber into a bonfire near Lake Pleasant, causing an explosion that left 16-year-old Jaidynn Penberthy with severe facial fractures and burns. The teen remains hospitalized at the Arizona Burn Center as her family raises funds for recovery and urges witnesses to come forward.

Phoenix Police Arrest 24-Year-Old in Lake Pleasant Bonfire Explosion That Critically Injured Teen

Phoenix police have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with a bonfire explosion near Lake Pleasant that critically injured a teenage girl the night before Halloween.

Samuel Schnee was taken into custody on Nov. 6 and booked on multiple felony counts, including aggravated assault and endangerment, according to the Phoenix Police Department. The arrest followed a week-long investigation into the Oct. 30 incident that sent 16-year-old Jaidynn Penberthy to the intensive care unit.

Police said a large gathering of juveniles and young adults had assembled around a bonfire near West Saddle Mountain Road and North New River Road, in the desert area near 67th Avenue and North New River Road, when someone threw an object into the flames. Roughly three to five minutes later, the object detonated, inflicting serious injuries on Penberthy and minor injuries on several others.

Rilyne Penberthy, the victim's sister, told reporters that the object was a vehicle shock absorber. The explosion struck Jaidynn in the jaw, she said, breaking her upper and lower jaw, both cheekbones, and her nose. The teen also suffered burns on her leg and back.

"It wasn't just the only car part," Rilyne Penberthy said. "They found other car parts inside the fire, but that's the only one that exploded that we know of."

Jaidynn was initially taken to a hospital and later transferred to the Arizona Burn Center in Phoenix, where she remains in treatment. Several other people at the gathering were treated for minor injuries.

Rilyne Penberthy said a group of young people at the scene lifted her sister into a truck and drove her to a gas station, where they called police and waited with her until an ambulance arrived.

The family has established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses and has asked anyone with additional information about the incident to contact authorities.

The case remains under investigation. Phoenix police have not released further details about the circumstances leading to the arrest or whether additional suspects are being sought.

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