Assistant principal’s house on Schmitz Court damaged; suspects possibly tied to local high school.
LAKE ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Detectives are reviewing video and gathering debris after two homemade devices exploded on the porch of a Schmitz Court home Saturday night, startling residents and leaving visible damage but no injuries, according to the homeowner and police.
The blasts happened shortly after nightfall on Saturday, Nov. 15, while the family inside watched a football game. The homeowner, Keith Sanders, an assistant principal at Timberland High School, said the shock wave shook nearby homes and filled his entryway with smoke. Investigators spent the weekend canvassing the cul-de-sac for footage that shows several people running up to the house, then sprinting away seconds before bright flashes. Sanders said officers told him two people were taken into custody; police have not yet released names or charges.
Sanders detailed damage including chipped siding, a warped doorframe and chemical residue pooled near the steps. He described fragments of a two-liter bottle and a brown sludge he believed to be animal waste among the debris, consistent with makeshift “bottle bombs” assembled from household materials. “It was so loud the whole neighborhood shook,” he said, recalling how his family moved away from windows and waited for first responders.
Lake St. Louis police said Monday morning the investigation is active and formal updates would be released after evidence processing and interviews. The department has not confirmed the number of people detained or whether the suspects are students. Sanders said he was told those involved may be affiliated with Timberland High School, where he works as an assistant principal, but emphasized that officers are still sorting through accounts. No fires were reported, and there was no indication any neighbors were hurt.
The cul-de-sac sits in a quiet subdivision near the city’s western edge, where homes face short, shared driveways and neighbors’ doorbell cameras often capture foot traffic after dusk. On Saturday’s recording, multiple figures in hooded sweatshirts appear at the sidewalk before the first flash. A second blast follows almost immediately, sending smoke toward the street. The family’s porch light flickers as the entry fills with haze. Residents said the sound echoed like a transformer failure, followed by a sharp crack.
Evidence technicians photographed the doorway Sunday and collected plastic pieces, paper wadding and damp soil for testing. Investigators typically compare residues from improvised containers with known compounds and document fragment patterns to determine if any commercial components were used. If detectives conclude state laws on explosive devices and property damage apply, the case would be forwarded to the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney for charging review. A formal media update was anticipated later Monday, Nov. 17, after detectives completed initial interviews and video retrieval.
Neighbors traded clips and stills at the curb as officers worked the scene. “The booms were back-to-back,” said Melissa, who lives across the cul-de-sac. Another resident pointed to fresh gouges in trim near the hinge side of the door. Sanders stood on the steps where the blasts hit and said he hoped the case moves quickly once police identify everyone on the video. He added that his family planned to replace damaged siding and have the entry assessed for structural issues.
By late Monday, police had not disclosed additional arrests or the ages of those involved. Detectives were expected to pull more video from nearby streets before issuing a written update on the porch explosions and any recommended charges.
Author note: Last updated November 17, 2025.