The explosion occurred at an industrial plant that housed supplies for the vaping industry, Goo Smoke Shop/Select Distributors. Thousands of nitrous oxide and butane canisters were stored inside the building, and the explosion propelled the canisters and debris into the air, showering down as far as two miles over the surrounding area. Turner Lee Salter, 19, who was about a quarter of a mile from the business, was fatally struck in the head by a nitrous oxide canister. A Clinton Township firefighter sustained minor injuries after getting hit by debris.
Kestou, who owned the building and vaping industry, had been arrested by customs officials and the New York Port Authority personnel on Saturday at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Authorities said they were given information on April 20 that Kestou was trying to fly to Hong Kong. He was brought back to Michigan on Wednesday to face the charges.
Goo had received a township occupancy permit in September 2022 for the 26,700-square-foot building as a retail location for a “smoke shop/vape store” that would sell paraphernalia for vape products, according to officials. Kestou’s bond was set at $500,000, and his probable cause hearing is scheduled for May 7.
