MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A Memphis high school was evacuated Thursday morning after two homemade bombs exploded on campus. Now two students are in police custody.
Friday is the last day of school for seniors at Craigmont High School, and they never thought the school year would end like this.
Police and firefighters surrounded the school around 11 a.m. on May 3. They swarmed the campus after two explosions were heard.
"We thought it was a gun shot; everyone got in their seat, they didn't tell us nothing," said Craigmont senior Marcellous Jackson.
Freshman Atir Peete said, "At first I thought it was a firecracker, it was loud."
"Today has been crazy," said Micole Atkins. She woke up knowing there were only two days left of high school for seniors, but the fun quickly disappeared. "They got over the intercom, 'Evacuate, everybody evacuate.' We ran out then the SWAT team came, the ambulance came."
Students were evacuated immediately and made to wait on the field behind the school. Worried parents weren't allowed near the school and gathered in the street, helpless.
Parent Alvin Owens said he had "anxiety, just trying to figure out what's going on."
"When I heard about it, I was flying up here to get him take him home safe and be away from there, but they're not letting anybody get them," said parent Enchantresee Pucket.
Memphis police say a bomb threat was called in to the school minutes before two bottles exploded.
According to Lt. Wayne Cooke with the Memphis Fire Department, "It was a makeshift or homemade device used with cleaning products, and aluminum foil in a pop bottle. At this time it does not present any hazard to anyone in the area."
The assistant principal has asthma and was taken to Methodist Hospital for treatment after inhaling fumes.
It's unclear right now if this was some sort of senior prank or if the bombs were designed to hurt someone.
