Authorities respond to 2 bomb
scares in 4 days
Emergency crews responded to two separate explosives scares this past week, with one incident garnering national attention. Both scares were ultimately deemed false alarms by authorities.
A child pornography investigation led to a bomb squad being called Thursday, July 23, when police found a suspected explosive device while executing a warrant in the 500 block of Gilpin Street, making national headlines.
According to officials with Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen’s office, detectives were executing an internet crimes against children search warrant at the home near Edgebrook Drive when they spotted what looked like a pipe bomb wrapped in foil, electrical tape and screws, with a wick attached. Deputies immediately evacuated the residence and called in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, which safely removed the item.
Later that afternoon, officials clarified the device was tightly wound fireworks packed together, not a functional explosive.
Rosen emphasized that investigators acted out of caution.
“When you have a situation where somebody that’s occupying the house has situational awareness of our moving throughout the house and what looked like a bomb device, it kind of gave us a lot of trepidation,” Rosen said.
Two adults were detained at the scene. One allegedly admitted to making the device.
Authorities also reported finding cameras throughout the home, with a voice coming through the system telling deputies to leave while they were inside.
By evening, officials announced that Justin Hogue, 36, was charged with three felony counts of possession of child pornography after investigators said they recovered more than 500 images and videos. No charges have yet been filed in connection with the fireworks device, though Rosen noted that additional charges could be considered at the local or federal level.
The bomb squad confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the community. The investigation into both the child pornography case and the improvised device remained active at press time.
Just four days later on the night of Monday, July 27, a street in the Riverstone Ranch subdivision was closed by deputies from Harris County Precinct 2 Constable Jerry Garcia’s office after the department received a report from a resident about a possible live grenade.
According to Precinct 2 officials, the resident discovered a grenade mixed in with some boxes he received as part of a recent Facebook Marketplace purchase.
Precinct 2 deputies responded to the call in the 11400 block of Sugarbush Ridge Lane and immediately set up a perimeter and contacted the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad. Upon the Bomb Squad’s arrival, they were able to check the grenade and confirm that it was not an active grenade and posed no risk of going off.
The scene was released and no other incidents occurred. No injuries or damage were reported.
Beverly Hills pool finally opens for season
With summer coming to a close and students gearing up to return to school, the city of Houston finally opened the swimming pool at Beverly Hills Park this past week.
City officials blamed the delayed opening on a national lifeguard shortage.
The pools at the city’s Sagemont and Wilson Memorial parks each opened the first week of June after shorter delays.
This marks the fourth consecutive year the city has faced such staffing issue, with the Beverly Hills pool not opening at all last summer. (The city’s swimming pools were completely closed the summers of 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)
Houston Parks and Recreation Department officials said additional swimming pools will open as more lifeguards become available.
The city is currently seeking lifeguards for the remainder of the 2026 season. In hopes of attracting potential lifeguards, the city has lowered its minimum age requirement from 16 to 15 years old. While all lifeguards must be strong swimmers, previous lifeguard experience is not necessary. For more information on becoming a city lifeguard, visit www.houstontx.gov/parks/pdfs/2026/2026LifeguardFlyer.pdf.
City swimming pool hours are 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. All pools are closed for cleaning on Monday (except on Labor Day Sept. 7, when pool hours will be 1 to 5 p.m.) All swimming pools will close for the season following Labor Day.
For the latest updates on the city’s swimming pool openings, visit www.houstontx.gov/parks/swimming.html.
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