HS Principal 'Targeted' In Car Bomb

BLACKSTONE, MA — A high school principal's car was damaged Thursday night due to a possible pipe bomb explosion in what authorities believe was targeted.

Police did not identify the victim, who was uninjured, but WCVB is reporting he is the principal at Bellingham High School. The Bellingham School District said on Facebook Friday morning there will be additional security due to "a recent local event."

"Due to a recent local event there is an ongoing police investigation. The safety of students and staff is our number one priority. To ensure safety of our students and staff there is additional police presence at the High School today. All classes and activities are proceeding as normal throughout the district."

Blackstone Police say they responded to the man's Lakeshore Drive home around 6:16 p.m. after the homeowner "heard a loud bang that shook his home."

The Boston Globe spoke to a neighbor who said the victim was "terrified."

Local and state police from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as federal authorities, are assisting in the investigation.

“I want to stress first and foremost that we do not believe that there is any danger to the community and that this does not appear to have been a random act,” Blackstone Police Chief Atstupenas said. “Thank you to all our residents for their patience and assistance today as we work on the investigation.”

Blackstone is a small town of less than 10,000 that borders Rhode Island. It's about 20 miles west of Foxborough and about 25 miles southeast of Worcester.