Man tries killing ex-landlord with explosive device under lawnmower, PA cops say

A man planted an explosive device under his former landlord’s lawnmower, causing it to explode as the property manager was riding it, Pennsylvania authorities say.

Troopers are now searching for the former tenant, 54-year-old James Sever, who was evicted from the Salem Township property in June, Pennsylvania State Police said July 25. He is charged with attempted criminal homicide.

The property owner told troopers he started his riding mower on July 20 in his garage and left it idle for about 10 seconds, according to an affidavit of probable cause. After he began to drive the mower forward, “a loud explosion occurred, jolting him forward,” state police said.

Troopers said the man jumped off the mower and ran outside. He told investigators he believed it was a bomb underneath the mower.

Another man doing yardwork heard the explosion, then ran into the garage to turn off the mower, according to state police. He noticed a wooden cat box was on fire and dragged it outside.

When troopers interviewed the property manager, they learned he had evicted Sever in June and Sever told him, “You’re going to end up getting yourself hurt over this,” according to the affidavit.

A search warrant was executed on Sever’s phone number, which troopers said showed he was near the property a day before the explosion. Tire tracks that investigators said appeared to be from his Dodge Ram were also visible nearby.

Troopers located Sever’s truck later in the day July 20 and searched inside, finding zip tie cords identical to ones found within the shrapnel in the garage, investigators said.

Witnesses in contact with Sever also noticed signs of his alleged involvement in the incident. A woman who lives nearby said she saw Sever “acting nervous and erratic” on July 20, according to state police.

A man who lived in the same building as Sever said Sever was “upset at the property manager” in 2023 and made threats that he would “blow that ... up,” court records show.

Sever faces 10 charges, including attempted criminal homicide and aggravated assault, court records show. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Salem Township is about a 30-mile drive east from Pittsburgh.

This story was originally published July 28, 2025 at 8:33 AM with the headline "Man tries killing ex-landlord with explosive device under lawnmower, PA cops say."