Explosive chemicals, white supremacist material found in apartment of man killed in Beaver Dam explosion
BEAVER DAM, Wis. (CBS 58) – Newly unsealed search warrants are detailing what investigators found inside the Beaver Dam apartment where police say they found bomb-making materials.
On March 5, officials were called to an apartment complex on Knaup Drive for an explosion. Inside, they found 28-year-old Benjamin Morrow dead and volatile chemicals inside the apartment.
Investigators call Morrow’s apartment a “homemade explosive laboratory and in addition to bomb-making equipment, they found literature about white supremacist groups in his bedroom.
According to the court documents, Morrow was found dead in front of the stove, which was on, and investigators testified they believe he was making explosive at the time of the blast.
Inside the apartment, investigators found a fridge full of homemade explosives along with other explosive chemicals, pipes, fuses, and chemistry equipment.
They also found several guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition along with a ballistics helmet and vest. Morrow also had white supremacist materials but police say they’re still investigating what role that played in Morrow’s apartment full of deadly devices.
“It does cause me some concern but I want to make very clear just because Mr. Morrow was in the possession of this material, does not categorize in any particular light. He could have been an individual that was doing research,” said Lt. Terrence Gebhardt, Beaver Dam Lieutenant of Detectives.
The FBI is reviewing those white supremacy documents. A spokesman for the FBI said they cannot comment on open investigations.
Beaver Dam residents say it is scary learning what was inside Morrow’s apartment.
Residents and police say they never thought something like this would happen in Beaver Dam. Detectives say the materials found in the apartment are relatively easy to get and it’s disturbing how easy it can be to make explosives. Officials also found instructions on how to make the bombs as well.
“We would not expect anything like this in the city of Beaver Dam. In my 25-year career, I’ve never encountered anything of this magnitude. It causes concern and pause and reflecting on my career,” said Gebhardt.
Police say they are still following all leads and are still encouraging the public to come through with any information.
See the list of what officials found inside the apartment below:
Following the explosion, the apartment complex and neighboring buildings were evacuated. Due to the unstable chemicals, authorities burned apartment building 109 in a controlled burn.
This is a developing story. Stay with CBS 58 on air and online for the latest updates.