GAITHERSBURG, Md. — An explosion that rocked a Maryland condominium on Wednesday was set off by a man whose aim was to die by suicide, authorities said Friday.
Authorities identified the man as Juan Pablo Marshall Quizon, 36, of Gaithersburg, The Washington Post reported. At least 14 people were injured, with 10 of them hospitalized, according to the newspaper. The explosion, which erupted at 8:40 a.m. EST, destroyed nine units in a Potomac Oaks Condominium building.
All of the residents hospitalized have been released, WBAL-TV reported.
Quizon’s body was recovered from the rubble of the condominium on Thursday, according to the television station. The discovery was made after cadaver-sniffing dogs and heavy machinery combed the damage. A medical examiner said that Quizon died of smoke inhalation and burn injuries, according to WTOP Radio.
Quizon owned a condominium in the complex, according to the Post. The discovery of what Montgomery County Chief of Police Marcus G. Jones said was a note from Quizon, as well as statements from residents who were familiar with Quizon, led investigators to term his cause of death as suicide, WTOP reported.
“We have no information to believe that Mr. Quizon intended for other individuals to be injured or harmed in this particular incident,” Jones said at a news conference Friday evening. “It is a criminal investigation for the fact that if Mr. Quizon was still with us, he would have been criminally culpable in this case, due to the fact several individuals are injured and the amount of property damage.
“We know for a fact that he made statements that were indicative of intentions of suicide.”
It was the second time this year that there was an explosion and fire this year in Montogomery County. The other one was at the Friendly Garden Apartments in Silver Spring on March 3.
Jones would not elaborate further on Quizon’s suicide note, including when or where it was located, WTOP reported.
©2022 Cox Media Group
