The Floyd County Bomb Team rapidly responded Wednesday evening to safely detonate a significant quantity of highly sensitive and unstable explosives, which were confiscated as part of an ongoing investigation into the manufacturing of explosive devices. The controlled detonations, which produced sounds reported across the county, were deemed the safest course of action due to the materials’ volatility and the inability to store them.

Authorities quickly realized the seized explosives posed an immediate risk, prompting the bomb squad’s swift deployment. “Our bomb techs are trained to render safe a variety of devices and respond to suspicious items and hazardous materials,” stated FCPD Capt. Ron Hunton, head of the Floyd County Bomb Squad. Experts determined that discharging the materials in a controlled environment was the only viable and safe solution.

The explosives were seized in connection with an investigation that has led to the arrests of Daryl Stamey Sr., 56, and Steven Gray, 64, on charges related to the manufacturing and possession of explosive devices.

According to Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King, the investigation was launched after investigators received a lead and obtained a search warrant for Steven Gray’s residence. It was at this location that devices were reportedly being manufactured. Authorities located, disarmed, and removed additional explosive devices, along with materials used for their manufacture, from Gray’s home. Steven Gray has been charged with 23 counts of manufacturing explosive devices.

Commissioner King also detailed a separate but related discovery on July 15. “At approximately 9:04 a.m. on July 15, the Rome Police Department executed an unrelated search warrant at a commercial facility on Hull Avenue,” King explained. “Upon discovering homemade explosive devices at the facility, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Floyd County Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called in to provide additional assistance.”

While the late-evening explosions generated widespread reports of loud noises, Floyd County Police Chief Mark Wallace assured the public there was no danger. “We realize the noise was disturbing but at no time was the public in any danger,” Chief Wallace said. He acknowledged that while alerts were sent out early via social media and the Code Red app, the police department plans to improve its communication strategies for similar future incidents to better inform the public.

Residents seeking to stay informed on emergency communications are encouraged to download either the Code Red app or the Floyd County GA Police Dept app.

The ongoing investigation is a collaborative effort involving the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Rome Police Department, the Floyd County Police Department, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

For further inquiries, the Georgia Insurance Commissioner’s Office can be contacted at media@oci.ga.gov or by phone: Bryce Rawson at 470-716-1847 or Tanya Zamora at 678-371-5641.