Pubdate: Fri, 30 Jun 2006
Source: Newark Advocate, The (OH)
Copyright: 2006 The Advocate
Contact: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2634
Author: Lisa Roberson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CHEMICAL ATTACK INJURES EIGHT IN CHILLICOTHE

CHILLICOTHE -- Police say a chemical attack by a man Thursday once 
again illustrates the dangerous nature of the chemicals used to make 
illegal drugs.

David W. Howard Jr., 29, of South Salem, has been charged with two 
counts of felonious assault as a result of the 3 a.m. attack at an 
apartment complex. Police Capt. Tom Hewitt said Howard is the person 
who threw an unknown chemical on a man and a woman and caused them to 
be sent to a Columbus hospital with chemical burns.

"The attack was drug-related," Hewitt said, adding the scene was 
"mass chaos" when officers and firefighters arrived. The attack 
apparently started after an argument on how to make methamphetamine, 
and police say Howard threw the chemical.

The process can sometimes have explosive consequences as dangerous 
chemicals such as anhydrous ammonia are used to make the drug. Still, 
cookers are known to "cook" in their homes and cars, among other 
places. The wrong combination of chemicals can cause a dangerous reaction.

Hewitt said items used to make drugs were found nearby in the car of 
a suspect involved. The car is thought to be a mobile lab used for 
cooking the drug.

In all, eight people were injured in the attack, including a child 
hospitalized with breathing problems after inhaling the chemical, but 
some refused treatment, Hewitt said. Six people had been treated at 
local hospitals.

Two firefighters also were treated as the result of inhaling fumes at 
the scene.

The names of the victims were not released. Police think they know 
what chemical was sprayed, but they are waiting to release the 
information after tests confirm the substance.

A second man -- Robert S. Silcott, 29, of 2843 Ohio 207, Lot 26 -- 
was held in connection with a failure to appear warrant on a petty 
theft charge, but he has not been charged with anything in connection 
with the attack.
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