Florida Air Force Base Bomb Incident Involved Explosive in Soda Bottles

Federal prosecutors have disclosed details about an explosive device discovered at a U.S. military installation in Florida. According to court documents, the bomb was constructed using two 2-liter cherry-flavored Pepsi bottles. The device was allegedly placed outside a visitor center at MacDill Air Force Base on March 10. Authorities have charged Alen Zheng, a 20-year-old resident of Land O'Lakes, Florida, with planting the explosive. Prosecutors state Zheng transported the device in the trunk of his Mercedes SUV and attempted to ignite its fuse. The bomb failed to detonate, but U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe described it as having significant lethal potential. The explosive remained undetected outside the base for six days before discovery. In related legal proceedings, Zheng's sister, Ann Mary Zheng, faces charges of evidence tampering and accessory after the fact. She is accused of assisting her brother in disposing of his vehicle and fleeing to China. The case highlights security concerns at military facilities and ongoing federal investigations into the incident.