Utahn’s 20 pounds of volatile explosives intended for family members, charges say

Ryan Lynn McManigal, 42, of South Jordan, faces attempted aggravated murder and other charges after police say he shot at officers and forced the evacuation of a South Jordan neighborhood during the July 24, 2020, holiday because bomb making materials were found in his house. | Salt Lake County Jail

South Jordan man with ‘highly dangerous’ materials accused of firing at police, threatening relatives, nearby business

SOUTH JORDAN — Approximately 20 pounds of highly explosive materials and partially made bombs — some attached to a gift and remote control cars — were found inside a South Jordan man’s house, according to charging documents.

And police believe some of those bombs were intended to used on family members.

Criminal charges were filed Wednesday against Ryan Lynn McManigal, 42, of South Jordan, the man who police say shot at officers and forced the evacuation of a South Jordan neighborhood during the July 24 holiday.

McManigal is charged in 3rd District Court with two counts of attempted aggravated murder and three counts of use of a weapon of mass destruction, first-degree felonies. He is also charged with three counts of violating a protective order, a class A misdemeanor.

“The initial investigation into this matter suggests that (McManigal) has been manufacturing explosive materials since February,” the charges state. “These materials require a sophistication to create without mistake and are highly dangerous when ignited.”

Numerous weapons and ammunition were found in the house, even though McManigal was not allowed to possess any weapons at all due to two protective orders filed against him in 2019, charging documents state.

The investigation began July 18 when McManigal, who lives at 3371 W. Snow Moon Place, began sending text messages and making social media posts about being “gang stalked” and wrote that “gang stalking is why there are so many mass shootings,” according to the charges.

Winston Armani, Deseret News

Police are seen Friday, July 24, 2020, at the scene where explosives were found in a South Jordan home following an hourslong standoff that started the night before.

Police say McManigal had been making threats against a Culver’s restaurant, 3372 W. South Jordan Parkway, across the street from his house, and wrote online that he could have “snapped and walked into the building to mow down staff and customers,” the charges state.

On July 23, officers from numerous police agencies served a search warrant on McManigal’s house, using an armored truck to drive up to his front door. As police approached, South Jordan Police Lt. Matt Pennington talked to McManigal on the phone and McManigal told him, “Call it off and have them think it over. ... Have a rethink,” according to the charges.

McManigal then began shooting at the armored vehicle, according to police. One officer said he “could see bullets coming through the wood door ... and at least one round struck the windshield (of the armored vehicle),” the charges state.

Another officer who was positioned near the corner of the home said he could hear officers from inside the armored vehicle “screaming and asking how many rounds can this glass take?”

The armored vehicle was shot 13 times before it breached the house.

When McManigal’s gun jammed, he yelled, “Stop breaking my (expletive). I’m coming out,” the charges state. He then took off the bullet-proof vest he was wearing and surrendered.

Winston Armani, Deseret News

Police are seen Friday, July 24, 2020, at the scene where explosives were found in a South Jordan home after an hourslong standoff that started the night before.

Once in custody, McManigal claimed he had 10 to 15 gallons of explosive triacetone triperoxide in a refrigerator in his garage and in a tub in his basement, according to the charging documents. He also allegedly claimed to have methyl ethyl ketone peroxide in a kitchen refrigerator.

“The search ... revealed approximately 20 pounds of TATP and MEKP, as well as partially constructed bombs attached to a gift, a toilet float, and several remote control cars,” the charges state.

Triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, is an extremely explosive substance sometimes referred to as “Mother of Satan.” It was reportedly used in terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015, Brussels in 2016, and Manchester in 2017. Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, or MEKP, is a similar highly explosive chemical. Both chemicals are in the form of white powder, and according to some reports, can explode simply by being touched.

Also seized from McManigal’s house were a handgun, two rifles, a shotgun, 17 spent shell casings, about 4,000 rounds of .223 ammunition, 500 12-gauge shotgun shells, 250 9mm rounds, and several other loaded magazines including one with 100 rounds, the court documents say.

Because of the extreme volatile nature of the explosives, approximately 600 homes and 30 businesses were evacuated for most of Friday as bomb experts — including some from the federal government — detonated the materials on site, according to court records. The chemicals found in the upstairs portion of the house were moved outside and detonated.

“The substance found in the basement had to be detonated where it was found, causing extensive damage and destroying the house,” investigators wrote in the charges.

Winston Armani, Deseret News

Police are seen Friday, July 24, 2020, at the scene where explosives were found in a South Jordan home after an hourslong standoff that started the night before.

Police said the investigation into “switches and ignition devices” found in the house is continuing.

McManigal’s sister had applied for a protective order against her brother after he threatened to kill her, the charges note. He also allegedly threatened to kill “aunts, uncles, cousins and all of their family members.”

The sister told police that McManigal “is unable to control his anger.”

Detectives believe McManigal “intended to deliver the partially constructed bombs found in his home to (his sister) and their aunt,” the charges state.

Prosecutors have requested McManigal be held without bail, noting that he is “facing several life sentences if convicted,” he no longer has a home to go to, and because of “the sheer amount of firearms, ammunition and explosives” found in his home, there are “serious concerns” he will continue to engage in similar activity if he is released on bail, the charges state.

Additional criminal charges are expected to be filed against McManigal in the coming days for damaging a neighbor’s car and shooting out a street light, according to court documents.

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