Man charged with manufacturing weapon of mass destruction after Catawba County home explosion

Man held on 320K secured bond
Published: Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:13 PM EDT

CLAREMONT, N.C. (WBTV) - The man who was injured in a home explosion in Catawba County last week was charged in connection with the explosion, officials said.

On Wednesday, April 1, the sheriff’s office said that a home on Shook Road just north of Claremont exploded and caught fire. The home was consumed by fire when firefighters got there, officials said.

The sheriff’s office said a couple was injured in the fire. They identified the man as Travis Bowes. The couple’s 14-year-old daughter was able to escape the fire, and was not believed to be injured.

Officials had not yet identified the other person who was injured. There condition was unknown at this time.

Read --> Explosive materials possibly inside Catawba County home that exploded, sheriff says

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said on Thursday, April 9, that they charged Bowes with manufacturing a weapon of mass destruction and possession of a weapon of mass destruction.

Bowes was being held on a $325,000 secured bond.

Officials did not say what explosive materials were found inside the home. It was also not immediately clear what the alleged weapon of mass destruction was.