Attempted homicide and weapons of mass destruction charges have been filed against a Hazleton police officer who attempted to blow up another person late last year.

State Police at Frackville charged Ladell Emery Hannon, 31, of Hazleton on Monday for his connection with an explosion at a home in Kelayres in December in an attempt to kill another person.

According to an affidavit filed by troopers, at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 21, multiple 911 calls came in for a loud explosion at a home on Center Street in Kelayres. Multiple windows were blown out of an apartment at that location, as well as out of a church across the street from the home. Three vehicles were damaged and debris was also found on Center Street, between Fourth and Fifth streets.

Because of the explosion, the apartment building was evacuated and the Pennsylvania State Police Bomb Squad was called to the scene.

The 33-year-old victim who lived in the apartment in question was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton. He was then flown to Lehigh Valley - Cedar Crest and treated for a ruptured right eardrum; bruising to the left eardrum; bleeding from the back of his head to his feet from the shrapnel; burns to the back of his calf; and glass and concrete embedded into the back of his head, back and legs.

A second victim, who lives in another apartment in the building, was treated for a minor injury.

The victim told police as he left the building, he saw a bucket on the sidewalk that appeared to have a lit fuse. He attempted to run but it detonated.

The victim identified Hannon as a possible suspect, noting that he was dating Hannon’s estranged wife.

Hannon had also come to the victim’s residence twice before when he and his girlfriend were home.

Troopers spoke with Kline Township Police Chief John Petrilla and patrolman Justin Farley, who reported that a burglary at the victim’s residence had been investigated on Oct. 28. At the time of the burglary, the victim said surveillance footage showed a person, who he said he believed was Hannon, entering his home, but felt continuing with the investigation would “do more harm than good.”

Another confrontation between the victim’s girlfriend and Hannon occurred on Dec. 11, when Hannon’s two children were in the vehicle outside the victim’s home. At the time, Hannon told the victim that he would get what was coming to him, court papers say.

Surveillance footage from around the area showed a vehicle matching Hannon’s in the area two days before the morning of the explosion, as well as him walking toward the victim’s home. He can also been seen walking away from the victim’s home carrying the bucket and placing it in his trunk.

Two days later, surveillance footage again picks up the vehicle and Hannon at that location, who is carrying a bucket. This time, he leaves it and walks away. A few minutes later, the explosion happens.

Following the investigation, Hannon was taken into custody and charged with burglary.

He denied having anything to do with the explosion and said he was asleep at the time when it happened, but could not explain why a vehicle with his license plate was seen on a Hazleton plate reader that morning.

Further investigation found that a tracking device was placed on Hannon’s estranged wife’s vehicle. Troopers also located five additional tracking devices that were used to track the victim.

In addition to criminal homicide and weapons of mass destruction charges, Hannon has now been charged with two counts aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and stalking; one count each simple assault, arson, possessing explosives, causing catastrophe, risking catastrophe, possession of an instrument of crime and make an explosive device; and five counts criminal mischief.

He is currently incarcerated in the Schuylkill County Prison on $1 million bail.

He faces a preliminary hearing before District Judge Stephen Bayer of Tamaqua on March 1.

A preliminary hearing on the burglary charge was held Tuesday before Bayer. Two charges were bound over for court, while one charge of criminal trespass was dismissed.

Hannon has been suspended without pay from his position with the Hazleton City Police Department.