TRIPwire, 26 October 2017, 0900

UPDATE Virginia:  Investigation into the Williamsburg IED Detonation

TRIPwire, 24 October 2017, 0700
On 20 October 2017, one suspect was arrested in connection to a pipe bomb detonation at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg on the previous day. The 19 October 2017 detonation resulted in no casualties and police were able to recover several pieces of the device, including end caps on a nearby roof, brown extension cord located near the blast seat, which was connected to nearby decorative lights attached to trees, and the main body of the device that landed approximately 75 yards away. The suspect had access to the timers, which controlled the lights, and were part of the initiating system. Court documents reveal that the male suspect came under investigation on 11 October 2017, when the Williamsburg Fire Department responded to reports of an odor reminiscent of sulfur and a haze outside the Colonial Williamsburg maintenance office. During that incident the suspect claimed that he discovered a note that read “I am sorry my device did not work last night –D.” Three days later, the same man reported a second note, which mentioned the word “Adramelech,” that he claimed only those he served with in Iraq would understand. Police determined that the man did serve on active duty between 2006 and 2007, but was not deployed to Iraq. Two days after the second note, the suspect was recorded at a sporting goods store purchasing three jars of smokeless powder with his credit card, which he later claimed was stolen, and that the purchases were fraudulent. Newport News Police Department (NNPD) officers executed a search of the suspect’s home in Gloucester where they discovered an end cap similar to those recovered at the scene of the blast. Also, located at the residence were six brown extension cords, a model rocket initiator, two paint cans with holes in the top and other additional bomb making material. The man was charged with possession of and using an explosive device, and committing an act of terrorism.

TRIPwire, 25 October 2017, 0800

On 24 October 2017 at approximately 1500 hours local time, a man arrived at the Finglas Garda station in Dublin with a suspected pipe bomb. The man located the pipe bomb somewhere near his house and brought it to the garda station for examination. The garda station was evacuated and a Defense Forces of Ireland (DFI) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team arrived on scene to examine and render safe with the device. Initial reports suggested that the device was viable and included protruding wires. The EOD team rendered safe the device, removed it for exploitation and declared the scene safe at approximately 1700 hours local time. An investigation into the matter is ongoing.

TRIPwire, 25 October 2017, 0900

On 24 October 2017 at approximately 0420 hours local time, the Provincial Fire Department responded to an ATM explosion at a bank branch in Elche. According to investigators, after an explosion, thieves stole an undisclosed amount of money from the ATM. No further information was given on what type of device was used and no injuries occurred. An investigation is ongoing.