Explosives Expert’s Accomplice May Be Charged In UC Davis Blast
WOODLAND — Residents of Russell Park Apartments on the UC Davis campus got a rude early morning awakening back on Jan. 17. After an explosion ripped through the apartment of former UCD chemist David Scott Snyder (32), nearby apartments and a day-care center were evacuated.
David Scott Snyder
Snyder was nabbed after he drove to Sutter Davis Hospital seeking treatment for a hand injury sustained in the explosion and hospital staff alerted police.
During Snyder’s July 26 bail hearing, authorities revealed the identity of Snyder’s accomplice in an attempted cover-up. UC Davis detective Kevin Skaife testified Tashari El-Sheikh confessed Snyder instructed him “to dispose of some items” in Snyder’s apartment. Investigators later found volatile bomb-making chemicals in several West Davis apartment complex dumpsters.
In Snyder’s apartment, bomb technicians discovered nitroglycerine, black powder, and other volatile chemicals as well as firearms and knives. Snyder is charged with 17 felonies including two counts of possession of a destructive device or explosive, four counts of reckless disposal of hazardous waste, and seven counts of possessing a firearm on university grounds.
Detectives testified they did not believe Snyder was planning attacks. Court testimony did reveal Snyder had once bragged one of his explosive chemical cocktails “was a favorite of Hamas.”
Snyder’s attorney, Linda Parisi, described Snyder as a chemist who was “always tinkering and experimenting.”
El-Sheikh, a mechanical engineer, has left the country. Yolo County District Attorney Michael Cabral said if El-Sheikh returns, he’ll be facing charges.
Snyder remains free on $2 million bond; his bail hearing will be continued on September 6.
Read more:
The Davis Enterprise: Injured UCD researcher arrested on explosives, firearms charges
Davis Patch: On-Campus Explosion Update: Police Arrest Researcher David Snyder For Possession of Explosives & Firearms
