TRIPwire, 7 February 2023
On 3 February 2023, at approximately 1715 hours local time, Faribault Police Department (FPD) officers responding to a family disturbance call involving an 18-year-old suspect at a residence discovered suspicious items. Officers obtained a search warrant and requested assistance from the FBI, the St. Paul Police Department Bomb Squad, Rochester Fire Department Regional Chemical Assessment Team, the Minnesota Fire Marshal’s Office, Minneapolis Fire Department, and the Minnesota Department of Health. According to court documents, authorities found and seized M-type explosive devices and an explosives box, along with bomb-making material (BMM), described as a timing cord, a cinder block with a pipe attached, screws and sharp objects, containers of chemicals and liquids, unidentified powders, electrical wires, circuit boards, and cylindrical metallic devices. Court documents also revealed that the suspect had previously made pipe bombs in Faribault and Northfield which were rendered safe by bomb squads and had previously attempted to make chlorine gas. The suspect has not been charged but remains detained on a mental health hold for further evaluation. The investigation is ongoing.
