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2020 Nashville bombing

Coordinates: 36°09′50″N 86°46′35″W / 36.16389°N 86.77639°W / 36.16389; -86.77639
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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by David O. Johnson (talk | contribs) at 18:53, 25 December 2020 (→Investigation: added specifics; removed template). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2020 Nashville bombing
File:Nashville Bombing Aftermath.jpg
Aftermath of the bombing
LocationNashville, Tennessee, United States
Coordinates36°09′50″N 86°46′35″W / 36.16389°N 86.77639°W / 36.16389; -86.77639
DateDecember 25, 2020
6:29 a.m. (CST)
TargetUnknown
WeaponCar bomb
DeathsUnknown
Injured3+
PerpetratorUnknown
MotiveUnknown

On December 25, 2020, a car bomb detonated in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, United States, injuring at least three people and damaging dozens of buildings.[1] The explosion took place on 2nd Avenue between Church Street and Commerce Street at 6:29 a.m local time (CST). Officials have characterized the explosion as an "intentional act," with reports of potentially multiple explosive devices being investigated.[2][1][3] The explosion was felt "miles" away from the blast site. The Nashville Fire Department evacuated the downtown riverfront following the bombing.[4][5] Witnesses reported hearing "gunshots early in the morning and a message coming from an RV parked in the street warning anyone in the area to evacuate." The Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation into the bombing.[6]

Explosion

External videos
video icon https://twitter.com/NobodyNashville/status/1342472461112238080

The explosion was linked to a vehicle outside a building on Second Avenue N. in Nashville, but the blast wave was felt across most of Davidson County. Earlier in the morning eyewitnesses claimed to have heard gunshots and a recorded message from an RV parked on the road to evacuate. Per a statement from Metro Police, police officers had received reports of a suspicious vehicle, and after an investigation the officers called in the hazardous devices unit. Once the unit responded to the area, the vehicle exploded.[6]

A video posted to social media appears to show debris from the explosion landing on a building about two blocks away from the initial location, along with multiple other videos and images posted to show the aftermath.[7] In one video, cries of help are heard from in and around the blast site, along with the sound of a potential secondary explosion occurring.[8]

Investigation

Shortly after the explosion, a bomb squad, police and federal investigators arrived at the site in order to gather evidence.[7] The BBC reported that police told journalists they did not know if any people were inside the RV.[9]

The explosion is described by Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron as "an intentional act which was probably targeting police", and will be investigated as a potential domestic or foreign act of terrorism.[10]

Response

Tennessee governor Bill Lee said in a statement that the state will provide needed resources to determine what happened and who was responsible. Nashville Mayor John Cooper said he toured the damage, describing broken glass and water mains with insulation "blown up" into the trees. He estimated about 20 buildings had been impacted.

"It looks like a bomb went off," he said. He said it was too soon for any conclusions but said updates will be given throughout the morning. The downtown area will be "sealed off" for further investigation and to make sure everything is "completely safe," according to Cooper.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Andone, Dakin; Silverman, Hollie (December 25, 2020). "Explosion in Nashville is believed to be an intentional act, police say". CNN. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  2. ^ Rahman, Khaleda (December 25, 2020). "Nashville Tennessee Vehicle Explosion 'Intentional Act' Say Police, Downtown Evacuated". Newsweek. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  3. ^ Einhorn, Erin (December 25, 2020). "Nashville police investigating Christmas morning vehicle explosion". NBC News. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Jeong, Yihyun; Hineman, Brinley (December 25, 2020). "Explosion felt for miles rocks downtown Nashville, called 'intentional act'". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  5. ^ "Police: Explosion In Downtown Nashville On Christmas Morning Linked To Vehicle". WPLN News. December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Sutton, Caroline (December 25, 2020). "Witnesses report hearing gunshots, warning before vehicle explosion in downtown Nashville". WTVF. Retrieved December 25, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ a b Medina, Daniella (December 25, 2020). "Nashville residents capture confusion, chaos in moments after downtown explosion". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 25, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ @NobodyNashville (December 25, 2020). "#Nashville explosion this morning. An RV went kaboom" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Nashville hit by deliberate explosion, police in Tennessee say". BBC News. December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  10. ^ McKay, Rich; Johnson, Katanga (December 25, 2020). "Vehicle explosion rocks Nashville on Christmas, police call it an 'intentional act'". Reuters.
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