GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — Two Triad teenagers made their first appearance in Guilford County court in Greensboro on Monday to face multiple charges after “several” people were accused of using what court records described as a “powerful explosive” to break into Smith High School.
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Solomon Caravello-Bell, 18, and Chayce Harricharan, 18, were arrested and taken to the Guilford County Jail on the following charges:
- felony breaking and/or entering
- explosives on educational property
- possession of a weapon of mass destruction (a homemade plasma cannon)
- malicious use of explosives, damaging real property
- felony conspiracy
A juvenile was also detained before being released into the custody of a parent. Juvenile petition(s) will be taken out with charges, police say.
Caravello-Bell, of High Point, allegedly used a “homemade plasma cannon” to burn a bush and damage the door of Smith High School in Greensboro before breaking into the building, according to a warrant.

Court records accuse Caravello-Bell and several others of using the plasma cannon to break into the school, causing a fire in the process. Officers responded to a burglary call just after 2 a.m. Sunday.
According to the prosecution, law enforcement found several water tanks and clear plastic that was used to create a makeshift plasma cannon. Investigators found damage to a door near one of the entrances at the high school, including a hole in the glass.
The prosecution said surveillance cameras captured three suspects inside Smith High School’s media center.
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The prosecution told the court that Caravello-Bell ran through the school’s hallways for about 15 minutes before officers arrived.
Caravello-Bell’s attorney asked for his bond to be lowered, saying her client has no criminal history. Caravello-Bell graduated from Smith High School and plans to begin HVAC school in August, according to the attorney.
Judge Angela Fox increased each defendant’s bond on the weapon of mass destruction charge from $10,000 to $25,000.
Combined with their existing $5,000 conspiracy bonds, each is now being held on a total secured bond of $30,000.
The judge ordered that they have no contact with the other defendants in the case and stay away from Smith High School property.
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