Maple Grove, Wisconsin — At a backyard celebration in eastern Wisconsin, an explosion from a bonfire injured over a dozen individuals. The 18-year-old who set the bomb was sentenced to one year in prison and five years of probation.
Shawano County Court was the site of Sam Armstrong's Thursday appearance, according to WLUK-TV.
Despite facing thirteen charges of injury caused by the careless use of an explosive, Armstrong entered a not-guilty plea in February. At sentencing, a no-contest plea is interpreted as an admission of guilt, even when it is not.
On October 14, 2022, while attending a bonfire in Maple Grove, approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Green Bay, with other teenagers, Armstrong threw a barrel containing a mixture of gasoline and diesel into the fire. This caused an explosion, which burned at least 17 out of the approximately 60 youths present, according to authorities.
According to a criminal complaint, he informed authorities that he was unaware that his activities could lead to an explosion and harm others. Investigators were informed by Armstrong that he had been consuming beer.
A number of individuals who suffered injuries in the explosion have sued him in civil court.
Armstrong was "trying to be cool in front of all of his friends," according to Benjamin Van Asten, who was one of the injured in the explosion and testified Thursday in court, but he forgives Armstrong for his "one little slip-up."
Defense counsel Greg Petit read prepared words by Armstrong in which his client expressed regret, humiliation, and shame.
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