Salem Township, PA -- The suspect accused of planting an explosive device underneath a lawnmower is accused of building and placing a second explosive device on another vehicle. 

James Sever, 54, was charged by Pennsylvania State Police, in cooperation with the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office, with attempted homicide, 17 counts of aggravated assault, 17 counts of recklessly endangering another person, weapons of mass destruction, risking catastrophe, and possessing an instrument of crime. 

Sever's previous charges of attempted homicide, weapons of mass destruction, and aggravated assault were held for court earlier this week after a preliminary hearing. Sever was charged in July after police claim he built and planted an explosive device underneath his former landlord's lawnmower in Salem Township. 

On August 14, 2025, state police responded to an off-ramp of the Pennsylvania Turnpike after turnpike maintenance workers were alerted to pieces of debris in the middle of the road at the Irwin interchange by a concerned driver. 

The debris appeared to be a pipe bomb which resulted in the response of the Pennsylvania State Police's Hazardous Device and Explosives Section. 

Investigators arrived on scene and noticed similar materials used in the explosive device recovered from the July incident in Salem Township and the pipe bomb discovered at the interchange. 

Troopers said the same components were found in both devices including the pipe, pipe caps, a six-volt battery, zip ties and wooden boards with specific markings.

Investigators believed both bombs were made by the same individual. 

Sever remained on the run until he was captured in September in Indiana County. 

After Sever was arrested and questioned by state troopers, he allegedly admitted to manufacturing both bombs inside of the Route 22 property in Salem Township while he resided there. 

Sever allegedly admitted to placing one device under his former landlord's lawnmower and placing a second device under a relative's vehicle. 

State police interviewed Sever's relative who was the target of the second planted device, and learned the vehicle was a loaner from a dealership while repairs were being made to his other vehicle. 

Troopers spoke with the dealership where the loan vehicle came from and determined at least two other families drove the vehicle after the pipe bomb was allegedly planted, potentially endangering the lives of 16 other people including juveniles. 

Sever remains incarcerated in the Westmoreland County Prison after being denied bail. 

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.