Explosion an apparent prank

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville police say it appears Monday's small explosion at a carnival at Lakeshore Mall was nothing more than a prank.

Two Hall County men, employed at the carnival which has been operating in the back parking lot at Lakeshore Mall, have been charged in connection with the incident which occurred about 3:45 a.m.

"When officers arrived on the scene, they located a plastic two liter bottle that contained what appeared to be a homemade chemical explosive device that had already detonated," Gainesville police Lt. Nina Harkins said early Monday. "One carnival employee complained of burning to his throat and eyes, but did not require medical attention. There was no property damage."

Lt. Harkins said while police were continuing to actively investigate, with several offices still on the scene, the two men, identified to them as suspects in the case, returned. Harkins said Brett Davis, 19, and Andrew Leslie, 24, both of Gainesville, are each charged with reckless conduct.