Police Identify Explosive Substance Found In South Jordan Home

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – Police said potentially “catastrophic” amounts of peroxide-based explosive materials were found inside a South Jordan home on Friday.

Officers discovered the large amount of explosive material inside the home at 3371 West 10350 South before evacuating around 600 residents from the neighborhood.

“It is four houses down from my house, which is really scary,” said Jana Ruesch, as she pointed to the home where the explosive materials were discovered.

On Thursday, officers in tactical gear swarmed her street after a suspect a few houses away started shooting at police.

“Within minutes of a military-looking truck pulling off, I heard gunshots, rapid gunfire — at least 20 shots,” said Ruesch.

Police were trying to serve a search warrant at the home of 42-year-old Ryan McManigal after he allegedly made threats to a local business and shot out a street light.

After shooting 15 to 20 rounds at officers, his gun jammed and he surrendered.

According to a news release, police suspect McManigal was suffering from mental health issues.

When police went inside his home, they found gallons of a peroxide-based substance, used to make bombs.

“We expected firearms. We did not expect a pretty massive explosive device,” said Lt. Matt Pennington, spokesperson for the South Jordan Police Department.

Police immediately evacuated 168 homes, 34 businesses and 600 residents. They were shocked by the amount of the explosive material they found in the house.

“There was a pretty substantial amount in the garage in a 5-gallon bucket and some more in his basement,” said Pennington. “Some of the stuff I heard the (FBI) agents and bomb techs throwing around is that this was the most they’ve ever seen.”

Investigators still need to determine how McManigal allegedly got his hands on the explosive substance and what he planned to do with it.

“The scary part is, if you know what you’re doing with this stuff, you can just go round up what you need and start making it (explosives),” said Pennington.

Police said if the explosive material had blown up, it could have been catastrophic to the neighborhood. In the end, only McManigal’s home was substantially damaged, and another home received minor damage.

Police said they’re grateful the outcome was so favorable for everyone involved.