Police say a jilted lover tried to blow his ex-girlfriend up with a homemade bomb, albeit a very crude device. The county bomb squad says it would have been effective in causing damage, however.

The parts were placed in a tin can then set in a bottle full of lighter fluid.

Since finding the device, the family says it has also uncovered threatening text messages Derose sent his ex, promising to blow her up. The daughter's new boyfriend says Derose warned him: "If you hear a loud noise in the middle of the night, just know it's not about you."
 
Thomas asked police about Derose's intentions.
 
"We think it was simply to threaten his ex," says Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Jake Smith. "He wasn't satisfied with the way things were left."  
 
"As you can see from the bags under my eyes, I haven't been able to sleep," Beckner said. "I literally have been watching this house 24/7," Beckner said.
 
After a search of Derosa's house, police have charged him with terroristic threats and possessing a destructive device. 

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Members of the conversion crew take a break as the main scoreboard is lowered to the floor to be worked on as the arena gets ready for the next concert at State Farm Arena, Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Atlanta. The crew was working on creating a stage for the Friday, Oct. 3 Maxwell concert. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com