Nashville Explosion: Latest News and Updates
The FBI and Nashville police are on the hunt for the perpetrator of a Christmas Day Nashville explosion downtown that caused destruction across several blocks. Authorities are calling the bombing “an intentional act” and have found possible human remains in the area. The bomb detonated inside an RV parked on historic Second Avenue near Lower Broadway, injuring three people including a police officer.
No known suspects or motive behind the blast have been announced.
“We will find out who did this,” FBI Special Agent Matt Foster said during a Friday news conference, according to The Tennessean.
“This is our city, too. We’re putting everything we have into finding who was responsible for what happened here today.”
BREAKING: Audio warning was being broadcast before explosion rocked downtown Nashville. Video shows moment of blast. pic.twitter.com/3IvciFH6BV
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 25, 2020
The FBI’s Memphis field office is investigating along with local officials and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the city of Nashville activated its Emergency Operations Center.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen “directed that all DOJ resources be made available to assist in the investigation.”
“We’re putting everything we have into finding who was responsible for what’s happened here today,” Foster said Friday.
Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake told reporters that authorities do not believe there is any further risk “to the downtown area.”
Celebrities and organizations have already raised more than $300,000 for a reward to help find the suspect.
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp initially offered a $10,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrator, which the organization later raised to $25,000, according to WKRN.
Others have also put money toward a reward for those with information, including FOX Sports host Clay Travis, who gave $10,000, Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis, who donated $250,000, and owners of the Lewis Country Store, who added $20,000.
. @MNPDNashville @JohnCooper4Nash I would like to put up a $250,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction inside of your process, of the this Nashville incident. We can’t have our streets terrorized like this. #horror pic.twitter.com/k9fNjRjklZ
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) December 25, 2020
What we know so far about the Nashville explosion
The Nashville explosion blew up at approximately 6:30 a.m. local time.
It was unclear whether the remains located near the site belong to a victim of the explosion or if they were of the person responsible. Forensic experts will examine the tissue, according to authorities.
“This appears to have been an intentional act,” Metro police tweeted. “Law enforcement is closing downtown streets as [the] investigation continues.”
An audio warning was broadcast from the RV just before it blew up, Drake said at the news conference.
“If you can hear this message, evacuate now,” the warning said.
Nashville explosion officers
Officers first responded to the area after receiving a report of shots fired, Drake said. They called in the bomb squad after seeing the suspicious vehicle, the RV, broadcasting the message, which some witnesses believe included the gunshot sounds.
Drake said officers found the RV as the message said the bomb inside would explode in 15 minutes.
“Basically, [it] was saying that it was going to detonate within a certain time frame,” Drake said. “The officers immediately began knocking on doors and evacuating residents here not knowing if the bomb was going to detonate immediately or if it was going to go off in the time that it stated.”
Footage from the scene on 2nd Ave North as multiple agencies continue to work and investigate an explosion from earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/5g40RhwNNl
— Nashville Fire Dept (@NashvilleFD) December 25, 2020
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