FIRECREST, Wash. — A convicted felon, living illegally in a senior citizens apartment complex in Fircrest, was arrested with what investigators called a small arsenal of weapons including homemade bombs.
Rose Costello said she heard gunfire coming from the apartment near hers around 10 p.m. Thursday night.
"I just heard a loud pop. And I thought that sounded like a gunshot," said Costello.
Sheriff's spokesman Detective Ed Troyer said deputies arrived to find Twinn Caldwell, 40, standing on the front porch of the apartment, holding his 2-year-old son.
"They were able, at gunpoint, to get him to put the child down, get him into custody and secure the kid to make sure that he wasn't hurt," said Troyer.
When investigators went inside, Troyer said they found shots fired into the ceiling of the apartment.
"They also found a bulletproof vest, a couple rifles, couple handguns, machetes and some working pipe bombs and plenty of material to make more," said Troyer
Neighbors said Caldwell was squatting in the apartment. The complex is for seniors aged 55 and older. An employee said management was working on evicting Caldwell when he was arrested.
Investigators said Caldwell was fortifying the apartment and arming himself, believing he was protecting his son. People living in the building were shocked to find out he had bombs so close to their homes.
"It's kind of scary, but it can happen anywhere you go anymore," said Jan Wegliegner.
Caldwell was arrested on suspicion of possessing explosive devices, reckless endangerment and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He has a previous drug conviction as well as two previous convictions for unlawful possession of firearms.
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