Bomb that detonated, killing man, wasn’t the first, LV police report says

The 17-year-old facing a murder charge after a man was killed Saturday when the homemade bomb they were working on exploded told police he had built similar devices in the past, a Las Vegas police report states.

The teen, Mario Librado, of Southern California, said he and the 44-year-old victim were friends. They were trying to repair a pipe bomb when it went off. The device injured both men, but Librado was able to dial police about 11:03 p.m. and direct them to their location in a desert area northeast of Valmark Drive and Puebla Street, near Craig Road and Nellis Boulevard.

Both men were taken to University Medical Center.

The older man, who wasn't identified by police, died Sunday.

Librado faces charges of second-degree murder, possession of an explosive or incendiary device and willful wanton disregard with substantial bodily harm or death.

He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center and is being held without bail.

Librado said he was visiting friends here and had purchased supplies to construct the bomb, the report states.

He had built similar bombs and detonated them successfully in the same location as Saturday's incident.

The two friends assembled the device and used a length of string to activate a switch to detonate it.

When the device failed, the men waited a short period of time and then walked back toward the device, the report states. Librado told officers he was trying to cut the wires on the bomb when it went off.

According to the report, the exploded pipe bomb and two small propane cylinders were found in the area. Librado sustained injuries to his right hand and arm.

Contact reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.