A Westmoreland County man is facing charges after allegedly placing an explosive device under his former landlord's lawnmower. 

Pennsylvania State Police said on July 25 that an arrest warrant was issued for 54-year-old James Sever in connection with the explosion targeting his former landlord last weekend. Sever was charged with attempted homicide and unlawful possession of weapons of mass destruction, among others. 

Lawnmower explodes and injures man in Westmoreland County 

Sever is wanted after troopers from the Kiski Valley barracks were called following an explosion at a home along Route 22 in Salem Township on July 20.

Investigators learned an explosive device was placed underneath a lawnmower and went off when the man started it. 

The criminal complaint stated that the victim filled his lawnmower with gas, started it and let it sit idle for 10 seconds before moving the handles forward, which is when the explosion occurred. The man got off the mover and exited the garage, state police said. 

According to the criminal complaint, metal shrapnel was found throughout the garage. Investigators said the items at the scene were indicative of an improvised explosive device. 

It was not clear if the victim suffered any injuries. 

Landlord injured by lawnmower explosion

State police conducted interviews with the victim and a nearby witness, which led them to issue the warrant for Sever. 

According to the criminal complaint, the victim told investigators that he, as a property owner, had recently evicted Sever from a nearby property, to which Sever told the man that he would be "hurt over this."

Cell phone data also showed that Sever was near the site of the explosion for nearly 50 minutes on July 19, authorities said in the criminal complaint. 

"We feel that the incident was contained specifically and isolated to that particular residence and victim," Pennsylvania State Police Public Relations Officer Steve Limani said on July 23. "We do not feel that there's any imminent danger to the public."

Troopers say Sever is known to frequent the wooded areas in Derry and Blairsville. Anyone who sees him is asked to call 911.

"I appreciate people trying to be patient while we work through this investigation," Limani said on July 23. "If they have questions or concerns, obviously, they can call the state police barracks or 911."

June Grosshans, who lives near where the explosion happened, said she hopes Sever is found soon. 

"God only knows where he is, though. He's had a couple days to run," she said.

Limani said troopers are working alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI to investigate the explosion and to learn more about the device.