A 25-year-old man was taken into custody Monday for attempting to destroy the General Dowling Monument located in Hermann Park, according to the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.
A complaint was filed in Houston federal court today charging Andrew Schneck.
According to the complaint, on August 19th, a Houston park ranger observed Schneck kneeling among the bushes in front of the confederate statue. Schneck was allegedly holding two small boxes with various items inside to include what appeared to be duct tape and wires. After placing the boxes on the ground per the ranger’s request, Schneck then allegedly took a drink from plastic bottle but spit it on the ground. The ranger then noticed a timer and wires in the box and notified the Houston Police Department (HPD).
Field tests proved that the materials in question were most likely nitroglycerin and Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD). HMTD is a high explosive organic compound.
Authorities believe the items in Schneck’s possession on August 19 were capable to produce a viable explosive device, according to the charges.
