A Disneyland outdoor vending cast member was arrested in connection with an explosion involving dry ice at the Anaheim theme park that led to an evacuation and bomb squad investigation.
The explosion, possibly caused by dry ice in a water bottle, led to an evacuation Tuesday afternoon of the park's Toontown area.
Police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Christian Barnes of Long Beach. He was booked on suspicion of possessing a destructive device, according to Anaheim police.
The suspect indicated the explosion was "an isolated incident with unanticipated impacts," according to a police news release, which stated Barnes was cooperating.
Barnes is being held on $1 million bail. He is pictured below in a photo from Facebook that was verified by Barnes' brother.
Raymond Barnes Sr., the suspect's father, told NBC4 that his son is a good kid who has never been in trouble. He said he feels this situation is being overplayed and his son did nothing criminal.
Christian Barnes' brother said the suspect had worked as a food vendor at Disneyland for about a year.
Disneyland issued a one-sentence statement.
"We take matters like this very seriously and are working closely with local authorities," said Suzi Brown, director of media relations and external communications for Disneyland Resort.
Visitors at the park described the explosion as sounding like a gun shot and "loud boom." Disneyland employees then escorted visitors from the area.
"When officers arrived, they were directed to a trash can and found remnants of a water bottle, which is indicative of a dry ice explosion," the Anaheim Police Department said in a press release Tuesday that included Barnes' booking photo, shown below. "They also found there were no injuries or damage as a result and the rest of the resort remained in full operation."
Toontown reopened late Tuesday.
More Local Stories:
- "Major" Gas Leak Prompts Evacuations in Newbury Park
- Magnitude-4.6 Quake Shakes SoCal Coast
- Drivers See Adolf Hitler in Teapot Billboard
- Bill Would Expand Who Can Perform Abortions in Calif.
NBC4's Angie Crouch and Melissa Pamer contributed to this article.
