Warrant Reveals Feud in Lead Up to Blacksburg Pipe Bomb

The Roanoke man who has been charged in connection with a pipe bomb explosion in a Blacksburg neighborhood was feuding with his girlfriend's male house guest, according to a search warrant.

Derick Gregory Wilson, 23, was charged Wednesday with the manufacture, possession, use of fire bombs or explosive materials. Investigators found the materials in a family member's home in Roanoke. 

The improvised explosive device exploded early Wednesday near several vehicles parked behind an apartment complex in Blacksburg. No one was injured. One vehicle was damaged.

The Roanoke Times reported that court records show Wilson had been dating a woman in Blacksburg who recently allowed an ex-boyfriend, Chad Tangchittsumran, to stay with her until a new apartment lease became active. According to the warrant, Wilson and Tangchittsumran had verbal arguments and physical altercations before he moved into the apartment of the woman Wilson had been dating. Tangchittsumran told police that before one fight, Wilson took a handgun from his waistband and handed it to his girlfriend to hold, the warrant said. 

Tangchittsumran moved into the apartment on Tuesday and about 3 a.m. Wednesday he found that his 2001 Chevrolet Blazer had been damaged by an explosion, according to the warrant.

The warrant said police seized a galvanized pipe segment and end cap, a black trash bag containing pyrodex powder, a fuse and a lighter, and several cameras and computers.

Wilson is being held without bond in the Roanoke City Jail.