Salem Township, PA -- Pennsylvania State Police, in cooperation with the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office, issued an arrest warrant for a New Alexandria man accused of placing an explosive device on a lawn mower, injuring the property owner. 

State police responded to a property on Route 22 in Salem Township on Sunday, July 20, 2025 for a reported explosion. 

The victim told troopers he was attempting to operate his riding lawn mower when an explosion occurred. 

State Police's Hazardous Device and Explosives Section, members of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, responded to the scene and confirmed an explosive device was placed underneath the lawn mower. 

The victim told police he started the lawn mower in his garage bay and let it idle for a few seconds before he moved the handles forward to engage the mower to move forward.

As he moved the handles forward, an explosion occurred and jolted him forward. The victim jumped off of the mower and ran outside of the garage bay. 

Police learned the victim recently evicted a tenant, James Sever, from the residence and the property.

The victim told police Sever was angry that he was evicted and made several threats toward the victim. 

Inside of the garage bay, police located pieces of metal pipe, shrapnel, nails, screws, battery, and wire components. Police also located a piece of a metal pipe that pierced the wall as a result of the explosion. 

Items recovered near the site of the explosion are indicative of an improvised explosive device, according to investigators. 

Police obtained Sever's locations in the days leading up to the incident, which placed him in the vicinity of the property in the days leading up to the explosion. 

Investigators have an active arrest warrant for James Sever, 54, and believe he is armed and dangerous. 

Sever is known to frequent New Alexandria and Derry Township and could possibly be operating an E-bike. If you see Sever, you are asked to call the state police barracks at 724-697-5780 or 911. 

Sever is facing charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, weapons of mass destruction, risking catastrophe, possessing an instrument of crime, trespassing, and simple assault. 

Disclaimer: To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all such charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.