Feds may charge fireworks suspects
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer
MOANALUA — A New Year's explosion that shredded an 11-year-old girl's hand could become a federal case because it involved an "improvised explosive device" similar to what has been used by insurgents in Iraq, Honolulu police said.
Police plan to let federal and city prosecutors decide which jurisdiction should handle the case in which Cydnee Somera was injured, said Detective Letha DeCaires.
"They'll see which (office) is more appropriate to charge the two men based on the investigation and the intent," De Caires said. "This may be used as a learning experience for the rest of the community."
At a news conference yesterday, DeCaires also said a witness to the explosion came forward Monday night. Two men have been arrested but were released pending further investigation. Police said they are not seeking any additional suspects.
Cydnee and her parents, Tanya and Sidney Somera, were visiting friends in 'Aiea on New Year's Eve. She said she was standing on the mauka side of a bridge behind a parked car lighting fireworks early on New Year's Day when she saw some men detonate a bucket filled with sand and other objects. The explosion sent flying shrapnel that cut into her hand.
Following tips generated by a public plea from detectives, two men turned themselves in for investigation of first-degree reckless endangering and second-degree assault. Police arrested and then released, pending further investigation, a 35-year-old 'Aiea man on Saturday, and a 34-year-old Waipahu man who surrendered on Friday, police said.
News of the witness who came forward cheered Cydnee, who has undergone her fourth surgery since the explosion, which occurred in the 98-100 block of Kihale Street in 'Aiea.
So far, she has had 11 metal pins inserted in her hand and a nerve taken from her left foot and inserted into her hand to replace destroyed nerves.
Cydnee said she isn't in as much pain as a week ago.
"I was worried and scared about the nerve and the pins," Cydnee said yesterday from Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center.
Her father, Sidney Somera, said he hoped any punishment given in the case deters others from making homemade fireworks.
"I'm not against fireworks; that's not what injured my daughter," Sidney Somera said.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.
