A 17-year-old Missouri teen, Carter Grabowski, and his friend Preston were critically injured after an item they thought was a firework detonated in Carter's hands. Families describe the device as a suspected homemade pipe bomb loaded with metal shrapnel. Carter lost his right hand and multiple fingers; Preston lost a thumb, suffered shattered fingers and ruptured eardrums. The Missouri Division of Fire Safety is investigating and a GoFundMe has been launched to support the families.
17-Year-Old Says 'My Hands Are Gone' After Suspected Homemade Bomb Detonates While He Tried To Light It
Friends Carter Grabowski and PrestonCredit: GoFundMe
A 17-year-old Missouri teen, Carter Grabowski, and a friend were left with life-changing injuries after an object they believed was a firework suddenly detonated in Carter's hands earlier this month. Families say the device resembled a homemade pipe bomb filled with metal shrapnel, and a GoFundMe has been launched to help cover medical costs.
What Happened
According to local outlet WDAF-TV, Carter and a friend identified as Preston tried to light an item they thought was a firework. At first the wick would not light, and then the device exploded in Carter's hands. The blast was reportedly so powerful that neighbors ran outside thinking a nearby house had exploded.
'All I saw was white, and I couldn't hear. I just kind of died for a second, is what it felt like,' Carter told WDAF. At the hospital he told his mother, 'Mom, I'm so sorry; my hands are gone.'
Injuries and Immediate Aftermath
Both teenagers sustained severe injuries. Carter lost his right hand and several fingers on his left hand. Preston lost a thumb, shattered multiple other fingers and suffered ruptured eardrums; family members also reported that his eyes were 'filled with blood and debris' and that he required a breathing tube.
The boys' families say the object appeared to be 'essentially a homemade pipe bomb filled with metal shrapnel,' a description shared on the GoFundMe page created to support their care. No arrests or charges related to the device have been publicly announced.
Investigation and Safety Notes
The Missouri Department of Public Safety's Division of Fire Safety is participating in the active investigation into the blast. Authorities have not released details about where the device originated or how the teens came into possession of it. Officials and safety advocates warn people to avoid handling unknown devices and to contact law enforcement or bomb squads if an item appears suspicious.
Family Response: Carter's mother, Jamie Grabowski, told reporters that while her son apologized in the hospital, the family is simply grateful he survived. Neighbors and community members have rallied around the families as they cope with long-term recovery and medical needs.
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