UC Davis researcher hurt in explosion arrested

David Snyder, 32, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of possessing an explosive, possessing materials with the intent to make a destructive device and possessing firearms on campus, said UC Davis Police Chief Matt Carmichael.

The 1 a.m. blast caused only minor damage to Snyder's apartment in the university's Russell Park housing complex but forced the evacuation of about 100 people while the materials were removed and officials investigated, police said.

"While we have no information to suggest that Mr. Snyder was plotting some broader crime on the campus, in today's environment the potential safety risk to the community must be taken extremely seriously," Carmichael said.

"We are relieved that the explosion was not worse and that no members of our community other than Snyder were injured," Carmichael said.

Snyder suffered hand injuries after the explosion and went to a local hospital for treatment, with hospital officials later notifying police, The Sacramento Bee reported Sunday.

For nearly 20 hours after the blast, bomb squads from the Yolo, Placer and El Dorado sheriff's departments, Sacramento police and the California Highway Patrol worked on removing chemicals from the apartment.