Incendiary device found under news vehicle failed to detonate, Utah officials say
An incendiary device was found under a Utah TV station’s news vehicle, leading to two men’s arrests, officials say.
A 58-year-old man and 31-year-old man were booked into Salt Lake County Jail on Sunday, Sept. 14, according to jail records, which show they are each being held without bail on multiple counts, including weapons of mass destruction, threat of terrorism and possession of explosive devices.
McClatchy News is not naming the men as they have not been formally charged.
“We are aware of the situation that was addressed by both local and federals partners. We are also aware that two individuals were arrested on allegations of state charges,” Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said in an emailed statement to McClatchy News on Sept. 15. “We will follow our normal screening protocol in evaluating all the material when presented.”
The device found underneath a FOX 13 News vehicle, which was parked near an occupied building Sept. 12, was authentic, officials told the station.
When lit, however, the device “failed to function as designed,” Unified Fire Authority Investigators wrote in a probable cause affidavit.
Given the device was considered a threat to public safety, the FBI took over the investigation, officials said.
A Salt Lake City FBI spokesperson declined to comment on the matter in a Sept. 15 email to McClatchy News, advising that questions should be directed to Unified Fire Authority, which issued an arrest warrant for the pair.
Unified Fire Authority did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment on Sept. 15.
In the affidavit, Unified Fire Authority Investigators said FBI agents tied the suspects’ whereabouts to a home on the edge of Salt Lake City.
FBI agents, along with Salt Lake City Police Department and Unified Fire Authority bomb squads, searched the home on Sept. 13, officials said.
The Salt Lake City Police Department declined to comment on the matter in an email to McClatchy News, saying the FBI was heading the investigation.
Inside the home, officials said they found “two hoax weapons of mass destruction,” two guns and illegal narcotics.
Both men told investigators the devices were real, leading officials to evacuate the residence and neighboring homes, according to the affidavit.
While FBI agents seized evidence related to the explosive devices found under the news vehicle, they also discovered “additional contraband and evidence of crimes outside the scope of the original warrant,” officials said.
Neither FOX 13 News nor E. W. Scripps Company, which owns the TV station, immediately responded to McClatchy News’ request for comment Sept. 15.
“FOX 13 News is working closely with law-enforcement and our risk management team, with the safety of our employees as our top priority,” Station Manager Leona Wood said in a statement to her team.
The incident comes at the heels of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting at Utah Valley University, about 40 miles south from Salt Lake City.
Tyler Robinson, 22, of Washington, Utah, was arrested Sept. 12 in connection with Kirk’s death two days earlier and faces potential charges of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, according to a Utah County Attorney news release.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said a motive for the Turning Point USA Founder’s slaying is unclear, the Associated Press reported.
