DOUGLAS COUNTY, Mo. – On October 10, 2025, deputies arrested Gary Haden and his 17-year-old son James after a concerned citizen reported seeing what appeared to be a homemade pipe bomb being passed between individuals in a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee parked outside an area business.
Deputies James Pueppke and Sam Evans responded and located James and another male in the vehicle. Gary Haden, identified as their father, was spotted exiting Walmart but turned back upon noticing law enforcement. When questioned, Gary claimed the items in the vehicle were for repairing a well house damaged in a recent fire.
A search of the vehicle revealed gunpowder, fuse material, pipe fittings, duct tape, and steel pipes—components consistent with improvised explosive devices. Gary denied any intent to build a bomb, stating the materials were for plumbing. James echoed the explanation but admitted to swinging a capped pipe in the parking lot and discussed various methods of bomb construction during a later interview. He also referenced past use of gunpowder in homemade fireworks.
Warrants were issued for both Gary and James and they face charges of Unlawful Possession, Transport, Manufacture, Repair or Sale of Illegal Weapon and Unlawful Possession of an Explosive Weapon. A third juvenile was released to a family friend. The September 11 fire at the Haden residence remains under review after neighbors reported it spreading to their property.
