Girl injured by Halloween bonfire blast

A Halloween party in the Phoenix desert turned violent on Friday night when an explosion from a burning car part sent a teenager to the hospital with broken bones and burns.

Phoenix police say the incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Friday. Detectives report that debris from the blast struck several people, but only one person sustained serious injuries. That person was Jaidynn Penberthy, age 16.

The suspect, 24-year-old Samuel Wolf Schnee, was booked into custody on Saturday. Court records list three counts of aggravated assault and seven counts of endangerment against him.

Ethan Glass, Penberthy’s older brother, stated that his sister was standing 10 feet away when the object detonated. He described the scene as having a lot of blood, comparing it to a horror movie. Glass said strangers performed lifesaving measures on Penberthy while friends drove her for help. One girl gave Penberthy a sternum rub to restore her pulse after it stopped for about a minute.

Medical reports indicate Penberthy suffered a broken jaw, multiple facial fractures, missing teeth, and burns. The debris struck her face, hitting her mouth, nose, and the side of her head. She was flown to a burn center for facial reconstruction surgery. Glass said she still requires several more operations and is in significant pain, though he noted she is thankful to be alive.

Schnee appeared in court early Saturday morning. State prosecutor Dawn Sauer described his actions as extremely reckless. Sauer said Schnee admitted to throwing an old shock or strut into the fire. He claimed he had drilled holes to release harmful chemicals but knew they were inside the part.

Schnee’s attorney, Jerald Schreck, argued that it was not confirmed which item caused the explosion. He also contended the state could not reasonably identify Schnee as the thrower. Schreck asked for release on his own recognizance, citing Schnee’s history as an Eagle Scout and lifeguard with no prior criminal record. He noted Schnee’s family was local, reducing flight risk.

The judge found probable cause based on testimony from at least two or three witnesses who identified Schnee as the person who placed the shock in the fire. The judge noted that proximate cause would be decided at trial. She set a bond of $25,000, lower than the $75,000 requested by the state. Records show Schnee posted bond and was released.