93-3-WMR Audio on Demand presents the Preston and Steve show podcast.

And now, Preston and Steve's news update with Kathy Romano.

Today is Tuesday. It's July 9th. Good morning, Kathy.

Good morning in the news this morning. A young child was hospitalized after an illegal device exploded in his hands on Monday night, according to Philadelphia Police. It happened just before 6 o'clock in the 5,000 block of Somerdale Avenue. Police say a 12-year-old boy was trying to light the device when an explosion occurred. The explosion left the boy's hands partially amputated. Chief Inspector Scott Small with the Philadelphia Police Department says he has injuries to both of his hands. We believe he lost a finger on one hand and has severe injuries to the knuckles and palm of the other hand. Now they're calling it an illegal explosive device. Was it a firework? I believe so. Yeah. Kathy said, a witness said that it actually blew him up. Yes. The ground. I heard that. Holy. I mean, that's a big explosion right there. I mean, it sounds like, you know, like a mortar or something like that. To actually lift you off the ground? How old? That's a big boom, 12. 12. Small says that the boy was at the rec center on the basketball court when the incident occurred. Somebody said that he found it in the

trash can. The device did not explode after the 12-year-old boy lit it. He then picked it back up and

that's when it exploded in his hands. Isn't that? That's like the sort, like just if it doesn't go,

don't go back over and pick it back up. According to Small, the illegal device was equivalent

to a quarter stick of dynamite.

The boy was rushed to the hospital.

He is listed in critical condition, but is expected to survive.

The incident comes just a week after a nine-year-old girl suffered life-altering injuries

after an illegal explosive device exploded inside of her Kensington home.

Small says both incidents may be connected due to the illegal nature of the explosive device.

These are illegal devices.

They are not commercial and they are not meant for commercial.

Small added.

It's horrible.

Philadelphia police have identified the police officer and the victim in what appears to be an apparent murder suicide.

It happened inside the home on the 4600 block of Waymouth Street. The body of 36-year-old

Elise Rodriguez was found in the 6,000 block of, I'm sorry, of the 6,000 block of Tulip Street. That's

where she was from. She was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the body and face. Police also

discovered the body of 39-year-old Jose Rodriguez with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and a pistol next to his body in the basement.

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