A tragic incident unfolded in an Indiana residence on Saturday evening when a grenade detonated, causing the death of a father and injuring his two children. The incident occurred on West Lakeshore Drive in Lake County, as confirmed by Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.
The family was in the process of sorting through their late grandfather’s personal items when they stumbled upon a hand grenade. A deadly error occurred when the pin of the grenade was inadvertently removed, leading to an immediate explosion.
Responding officers found the father responsive, yet critically injured. Despite their swift response, the man’s injuries proved too severe to endure the wait for medical units to arrive for transportation to a hospital. He tragically passed away at the scene.
The father was identified as 47-year-old Bryan Niedert.
In the wake of the explosion, Niedert’s children, a 14-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman, reported injuries from shrapnel and were promptly taken to the hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, the Porter County Bomb Squad arrived to ensure the area was secure and free of further hazards. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has taken the lead on investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.