11-13-2013, 05:11 PM
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northw...rt_m-rpt-2
Medford Police Chief Tim George said the Jackson County District Attorney's office was singled out in Wednesday’s early morning explosion and fire, a crime he called “an act of domestic terrorism.”
Police and federal agents are scouring the scene, looking for clues about who tried to bomb Jackson County District Attorney Beth Heckert’s office and why. No one was hurt in the explosion which has drawn agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the FBI.
George and Heckert, who held a joint news conference in Medford, said they had no indications or previous threats that would have triggered concern about a bombing. Heckert said her office sometimes deals with angry people, but “there is nothing in particular that stands out that would have alerted us to this.”
She said grand jury was canceled for the day and her office is operating with a skeleton staff. She said the explosion will not affect pending cases.
Police and fire officials initially responded to a report of an explosion at 4:30 a.m. after multiple witnesses, including police officers, heard a loud sound up to a mile from the district attorney's office.
"They said it sounded like a thunder clap," said Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau.
A man in dark clothing was seen in the area, FBI officials said, but investigators don't know if the man is connected with the explosion or not.
A fuse meant to detonate a 7-gallon propane tank was destroyed in the explosion, he said. The propane tank partially detonated, caught fire, emitted a large flame, then burned out, Budreau said.
"An attack on such a visible symbol of government and justice demands our singular focus. Although no one was injured, this device posed a significant risk to the firefighters and police officers who responded to the incident," said Greg Fowler, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. " All of the investigators working this case are fully committed to finding the person or people responsible as quickly as possible."
The investigative team involves member partners under the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
George predicted the investigation will be an extended one. He said investigators don’t have a suspect or motive.
“We don’t know a lot of things right now,” he said.
Access to the building will remain limited for now as investigators collect evidence at the scene, he said. He said police also hope to get surveillance video from nearby buildings.
“I would bet the house on it: We are going to clear this case,” he said.
Medford Police Chief Tim George said the Jackson County District Attorney's office was singled out in Wednesday’s early morning explosion and fire, a crime he called “an act of domestic terrorism.”
Police and federal agents are scouring the scene, looking for clues about who tried to bomb Jackson County District Attorney Beth Heckert’s office and why. No one was hurt in the explosion which has drawn agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the FBI.
George and Heckert, who held a joint news conference in Medford, said they had no indications or previous threats that would have triggered concern about a bombing. Heckert said her office sometimes deals with angry people, but “there is nothing in particular that stands out that would have alerted us to this.”
She said grand jury was canceled for the day and her office is operating with a skeleton staff. She said the explosion will not affect pending cases.
Police and fire officials initially responded to a report of an explosion at 4:30 a.m. after multiple witnesses, including police officers, heard a loud sound up to a mile from the district attorney's office.
"They said it sounded like a thunder clap," said Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau.
A man in dark clothing was seen in the area, FBI officials said, but investigators don't know if the man is connected with the explosion or not.
A fuse meant to detonate a 7-gallon propane tank was destroyed in the explosion, he said. The propane tank partially detonated, caught fire, emitted a large flame, then burned out, Budreau said.
"An attack on such a visible symbol of government and justice demands our singular focus. Although no one was injured, this device posed a significant risk to the firefighters and police officers who responded to the incident," said Greg Fowler, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. " All of the investigators working this case are fully committed to finding the person or people responsible as quickly as possible."
The investigative team involves member partners under the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
George predicted the investigation will be an extended one. He said investigators don’t have a suspect or motive.
“We don’t know a lot of things right now,” he said.
Access to the building will remain limited for now as investigators collect evidence at the scene, he said. He said police also hope to get surveillance video from nearby buildings.
“I would bet the house on it: We are going to clear this case,” he said.
