PHOENIX — A 24-year-old man accused of throwing a car part into a bonfire that exploded and seriously injured a 16-year-old girl near Lake Pleasant has been arrested and released on bond, according to Phoenix police and court records.
Phoenix police said a large group of juveniles and young adults had gathered around a bonfire near West Saddle Mountain Road and North New River Road around 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 when someone threw an object into the fire. About three to five minutes later, police said, the object exploded, injuring Jaidynn Penberthy and causing minor injuries to several others.
Detectives identified the suspect as Samuel Schnee, and he was taken into custody Nov. 6 on several felonies, police said. Court records cited by AZFamily show he was booked on three counts of aggravated assault and seven counts of endangerment.
At a court appearance early Saturday, prosecutor Dawn Sauer called the alleged actions “extremely reckless” and said Schnee admitted to throwing an old shock or strut into the fire. Defense attorney Jerald Schreck argued the state could not reasonably identify his client as the person who threw the item and asked the court not to find probable cause.
The judge said at least two or three witnesses identified Schnee as placing a shock in the fire, and that whether his actions directly caused the injuries would be a question for trial. Schreck described his client as an Eagle Scout and former lifeguard with no criminal history. The judge set bond at $25,000, which records show he posted.
Penberthy’s sister, Rilyne Penberthy, told FOX 10 the teen broke her upper and lower jaw, both cheekbones and her nose, and suffered burns. She is being treated at the Arizona Burn Center in Phoenix. The family has asked anyone with more information to come forward.
Schnee has not been convicted of any crime, and the charges are allegations.
Sources: AZFamily, FOX 10 Phoenix. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Geoff Charles / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
