Teen injured in Halloween bonfire explosion near Lake Pleasant

Phoenix police are searching for a suspect between the ages of 16 and 25 after a bonfire explosion at a Halloween party seriously injured a teenager near Lake Pleasant.

Officers arrived at the scene near New River and Saddle Mountain roads around 10:30 p.m. on Friday. Detectives state that the suspect threw a vehicle shock absorber into the flames, which caused the object to explode. The individual left the area before police arrived.

While several people at the gathering were hit by debris, 16-year-old Jaidynn Penberthy from Peoria sustained the most serious injuries. Her brother, Ethan Glass, said she was standing approximately 10 feet away when the blast knocked her unconscious. Glass described the scene as having a large amount of blood.

Strangers at the party performed immediate medical aid while Penberthy’s friends called for help and drove her to a hospital. Glass recounted that one girl performed chest compressions because Penberthy had lost her pulse for about a minute. She was subsequently airlifted to a burn center for treatment.

Penberthy has sustained a broken jaw, multiple facial fractures, missing teeth, and burns. She underwent facial reconstruction surgery and is scheduled for additional operations. Glass said the shrapnel struck her face directly, hitting her mouth, nose, and the side of her face. He noted that she has been crying due to pain and difficulty breathing.

The family is currently communicating with Penberthy by writing, as she is awake but unable to speak. Glass expressed frustration over the incident, stating he does not understand why the suspect would throw a car part into a fire. He said Penberthy is thankful to be alive but remains confused by the event.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Phoenix Police Department or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO. A GoFundMe page has also been established to assist with Penberthy's medical expenses.