Father, 2-year-old son among 3 killed in Allentown car blast

ALENTOWN, Pa. (AP/WTXF) - Authorities say that the three people who died in a car explosion in downtown Allentown, including a father and his toddler son, all knew each other, but the cause of the explosion remained under investigation.

About 30 investigators combed the scene, most of them from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Some wore hazmat suits.

Three victims were found dead after the 9:30 p.m. Saturday blast, according to Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim. Authorities identified the deceased as 66-year-old David Halman, 26-year-old Jacob Schmoyer and his 2-year-old son Jonathan.

All three victims, who are from Allentown, died due to the impact of the blast.

"They have lost an amazing father, an amazing brother and amazing son," Tina Schmoyer said.

Tina Schmoyer still can't believe her brother and 2-year-old nephew are gone.

Jacob's step-grandmother told FOX 29 Jacob cleaned homes and carpets. She thinks chemicals in his car may have been the cause.

"He would have carpet cleaning materials in there," step-grandmother Kathleen Pond said. "Would he have been in a hurry and not thought something through and left something in the car--possibly?"

ATF agents spent hours at the Schmoyer's home. Although it's not clear how Schmoyer and Hallman knew each other, they say one thing is for certain about the young father.

"We know that he loved JJ and would never have put JJ in any position to be harmed. Not intentionally," Pond said.

Officials said the blast was believed to have been an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public.

"We know there's been a criminal incident," District Attorney James Martin told reporters at a news conference Sunday. "We have a high degree of confidence that the perpetrator was probably killed in the incident."

Authorities released no information about the possible cause of the blast, including whether it was a bomb, but Martin said "loads of us in law enforcement" are confident "this was A. an isolated incident and B. there's no continuing threat."

Authorities are seeking the public's help and asked anyone with information to call the ATF.