FBI searching suburban Nashville home in connection with Christmas Day explosion
Federal brokers on Saturday searched the home of Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, in connection with the Nashville explosion on Christmas Day, in line with a number of senior federal regulation enforcement officers.
Authorities mentioned they’re investigating whether or not Warner could have been the individual chargeable for the bombing, however mentioned they are going to proceed to comply with leads. The investigation is going down at a home in the 100 block of Bakertown Road in Antioch, in line with NBC affiliate WSMV.
A Google road view picture of the handle exhibits an RV — which identically matches the outline of the RV Nashville Police mentioned was used in the bombing — parked in the yard of Warner’s home. NBC affiliate WSMV mentioned that the RV is now not at Warner’s handle.
The blast, which police known as an “intentional act,” left not less than three individuals injured and destroyed plenty of buildings and companies close by. Tissue was discovered after the explosion, and authorities are analyzing it to verify whether or not it could possibly be human stays, in line with Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake.
The blast additionally broken an AT&T constructing, which disrupted 911 emergency companies and briefly grounded planes at Nashville International Airport. Meanwhile, AT&T mentioned that it had put in two momentary cell towers downtown to offer service and that different transportable websites had been being arrange.
Officers arrived on the scene earlier than the explosion Friday, responding to reviews of photographs fired round 5:30 a.m., and located a leisure automobile parked in entrance of the AT&T constructing, in line with police. A speaker system on the RV was broadcasting a warning about an imminent explosion and telling individuals to evacuate in what seemed like a recorded feminine voice.
“They heard the announcements coming from this vehicle, took them seriously and were working to seal the streets to protect folks,” mentioned Metropolitan Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron. “We think lives were saved by those officers doing just that.”
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee introduced Saturday morning that he has requested an emergency declaration from President Donald Trump.
“The severity and magnitude of the current situation is such that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments,” Lee wrote in a press release.
Nearly $300,000 has been raised for info in the arrest and conviction of a suspect concerned in the explosion. Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. President and CEO Butch Spyridon mentioned Friday that the group supplied $10,000 towards a reward, however the quantity has since been raised to $34,500.
“Like everyone, we woke up this Christmas morning to the horrible news of the explosion on Second Avenue. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with all involved or affected,” Spyridon mentioned in a press release. “This is when we show the world who we are. Thank you all for everything you do for our city, and stay safe. I believe in Nashville.”
Clay Travis, a Fox Sports host, additionally supplied $10,000 for anybody who might present info resulting in the arrest of a suspect.
I’m pledging a further $10k for info resulting in the arrest of the downtown Nashville bomber.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) December 25, 2020
On Friday night, Marcus Lemonis, host of CNBC’s “The Profit,” mentioned on Twitter that he pledged $250,000 towards the reward and expressed his horror over the explosion.
“We can’t have our streets terrorized like this,” Lemonis mentioned. “Let’s spread the word and help the city solve this.”
Officials mentioned they have no idea the motive in the bombing, however native and federal authorities are investigating. Currently, officers are monitoring down over 500 leads and ideas.
