Suspect charged for MacDill Air Force Base bomb

Alen Zheng accused of building explosive device inside Pepsi bottles

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:38am

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A 20-year-old man from Land O'Lakes, Florida has been charged with planting a bomb outside the visitors center at MacDill Air Force Base last month. According to federal prosecutors, the explosive device was built inside two 2-liter cherry Pepsi bottles.

Why it matters

The incident at the high-security military installation has raised concerns about the vulnerability of U.S. bases to potential terrorist attacks, prompting increased security measures and investigations into the suspect's motives and any potential accomplices.

The details

Alen Zheng is accused of constructing the bomb, which was discovered and safely detonated by authorities before it could cause any injuries or damage. The use of common household items like Pepsi bottles to create an explosive device highlights the potential for low-tech threats against military and government facilities.

  • The bomb was placed outside the MacDill Air Force Base visitors center last month.

The players

Alen Zheng

A 20-year-old resident of Land O'Lakes, Florida who has been charged with planting the bomb at MacDill Air Force Base.

MacDill Air Force Base

A major U.S. Air Force installation located in Tampa, Florida that serves as the headquarters of the United States Central Command and United States Special Operations Command.

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What’s next

Authorities are investigating Zheng's motives and whether he had any accomplices in the bomb plot.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing threat of homemade explosive devices and the need for heightened security measures at military installations to protect against potential terrorist attacks using low-tech methods.