A series of explosive devices and a “Molotov cocktail-style object” detonated outside three northeast Washington D.C. businesses early Sunday morning, causing no deaths or injuries but leaving the city on edge. There was some damage to the buildings, with broken windows and debris.
The suspect has not been caught as of this writing, and the police are asking for assistance:
Police in Washington, D.C., are seeking the public’s help locating the suspects behind attacks against a bank, a retail outlet and grocery store damaged with explosive devices within 15 minutes early Sunday morning.
Three stores in northeast D.C. reported damage, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division.
MPD and @ATFWashington seek the public's assistance in identifying suspects and a vehicle in reference to Destruction of Property offenses that occurred on Sunday, July 2, 2023, in the District.
Have info? Call (202) 727-9099/text 50411
Release: https://t.co/IvecJKuAeI pic.twitter.com/xKhxQ3xkHO
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) July 2, 2023
The first explosive went off at about 4:30 a.m. outside a Truist bank branch before the suspect drove off, according to authorities.
Minutes later, a second explosion occurred outside a Nike store on H Street. Soon after that, the suspect tossed a Molotov cocktail at a Safeway grocery store.
Luckily the stores were all closed at that hour, according to the statement:
In each of these offenses, it appears the suspect targeted commercial establishments and it does not appear the suspect was targeting any members of the public. The establishments were closed at the time of the offenses. There were no reported injuries as a result of these offenses.
The MPD is also teaming up with ATF to offer a reward of up to $20K for anyone who can provide information leading to the perpetrator’s incarceration:
The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these offenses. In partnership with MPD, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Division, are offering an additional $10,000 bringing the total possible reward amount in this case up to $20,000.
Authorities have still never identified the person who placed pipe bombs outside both the Republican and Democratic national committees on January 5, 2021.
Although these attacks did not seem aimed at injuring or killing people, they are still quite concerning. RedState will post updates as they become available.
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