Investigators are trying to figure out why a Salem man assembled improvised explosive devices and set them off at his home hours before police found him dead of what appear to be self-inflicted wounds.Police entered the home at 13 Meadow Street, in which the armed 49-year-old man, George Sprague, had barricaded himself after neighbors heard explosions that were followed by small, explosive devices being thrown from the building.Watch videoPolice entered the building about five hours later and found Sprague dead, an appparent suicide, a spokeswoman for the Essex County District Attorney's Office said.Police Lt. Conrad Prosniewski said Sprague was alone in the residence and did not exchange gunfire or communicate with officers before they found him dead. Police did not say what his motive might have been.No other injuries were reported as a result of the incident, according to the Salem Mayor's Office. Police secured the building shortly after 1 p.m., according to Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll.Police received multiple calls at 7:38 a.m. reporting an explosion at the home, and officers witnessed explosions from the home upon arriving at the scene, according to Salem Police Chief Paul Tucker. Tucker said several windows of the home had been blown out as a result of the explosions.

Investigators are trying to figure out why a Salem man assembled improvised explosive devices and set them off at his home hours before police found him dead of what appear to be self-inflicted wounds.

Police entered the home at 13 Meadow Street, in which the armed 49-year-old man, George Sprague, had barricaded himself after neighbors heard explosions that were followed by small, explosive devices being thrown from the building.


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Police entered the building about five hours later and found Sprague dead, an appparent suicide, a spokeswoman for the Essex County District Attorney's Office said.

Police Lt. Conrad Prosniewski said Sprague was alone in the residence and did not exchange gunfire or communicate with officers before they found him dead. Police did not say what his motive might have been.

No other injuries were reported as a result of the incident, according to the Salem Mayor's Office.

Police secured the building shortly after 1 p.m., according to Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll.

Police received multiple calls at 7:38 a.m. reporting an explosion at the home, and officers witnessed explosions from the home upon arriving at the scene, according to Salem Police Chief Paul Tucker.

Tucker said several windows of the home had been blown out as a result of the explosions.