TRIPwire, 05 December 2018

On 29 November 2018, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Ripley Police Department executed a search warrant on a private residence and arrested a 45-year-old male and his 19-year-old son in Gay. Inside the residence, investigators found an improvised 12-gauge shotgun as well as a sealed PVC pipe with yellow powder inside, allegedly derived from road flares. The 19-year-old suspect told authorities that he intended to function the pipe bomb “over the hill.” Crystal methamphetamine and materials consistent with a clandestine meth lab were also found. Both suspects were arrested.

TRIPwire, 8 February 2021

On 4 February 2021, Marion County Sheriff’s Department deputies discovered an IED, described as a pipe bomb, while conducting a traffic stop in Fairmont for a missing license plate. West Virginia State Police Bomb Squad technicians responded to assist, examined the device, and performed render safe procedures. Authorities later discovered matching pipe, drills, and grinders at the suspect’s home while executing a search warrant. No additional device details were released. Authorities arrested the suspect, and the investigation is ongoing.

TRIPwire, 11 March 2020

On 9 March 2020, deputies from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a dispute and an explosion at a private residence in Buckhannon. According to the home’s resident, he and a 62-year-old male were involved in a verbal altercation that evening. When the resident refused to leave his house, the suspect yelled, “If you’re not coming out, I got something for ya,” which was followed by the sound of an explosion in front of the home and the suspect fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Deputies found large metal fragmentation pieces scattered across the front yard, and the ground was clearly disturbed. Deputies pulled over the suspect and in his vehicle found bomb-making materials, including two pipes that matched fragmentation found in the yard, a long-necked lighter, and a box of pyrotechnics and fuses. The suspect was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment, criminal use of a destructive device, and possession of explosives.

TRIPwire, 27 November 2019

On 25 November 2019, officers from the Buckhannon Police Department responded to reports of a man threatening suicide with a firearm at a private residence. Officers deescalated the situation and detained the man to take him to the hospital. While searching the residence, officers discovered multiple IEDs and bomb-making materials (BMM) in a room adjacent to the suspect’s bedroom. The ATF, FBI, and West Virginia State Police Bomb Squad were called to the scene. The Bomb Squad removed the IEDs and BMM from the area. No details on the IEDs or BMM have been made public at this time. The investigation is ongoing.