Two men were arrested in Utah after authorities discovered an incendiary device under a Salt Lake City television station's vehicle. The device was lit but failed to detonate, prompting a terrorism investigation and charges against the suspects.
Bomb squads from the Salt Lake City Police Department and Unified Fire Authority responded Friday to reports of a suspicious object beneath a Fox 13 News vehicle. According to the New York Times, a probable cause affidavit said the device "had been lit but failed to function as designed." Officials called it a "significant threat to public safety" because of its placement near an occupied building.
It was not clear if anyone was inside the vehicle at the time.
Authorities identified the suspects as Adeeb Nasir, 58, and Adil Justice Ahmed Nasir, 31. Both were booked into the Salt Lake County Jail and face multiple charges, including threat of terrorism, attempted aggravated arson, possessing explosive devices and possessing weapons of mass destruction. Authorities did not disclose whether the two men are related.
The FBI, supported by local bomb squads, searched the suspects' residence in Magna, a Salt Lake County neighborhood, on Saturday, Sept. 15. Investigators found two hoax weapons of mass destruction, firearms and illegal narcotics. Court documents said the men initially told investigators the devices were real, triggering an evacuation of nearby homes.
Both men had previously been prohibited from possessing firearms because of narcotics use, officials said.
Fox 13 News confirmed its vehicle was the target. Station manager Leona Wood said in a statement that the outlet is working closely with law enforcement, adding that "the safety of our employees" remained the top priority.
The FBI is leading the investigation. Court records do not state a motive for the incident, and additional case documents remain sealed. They were booked into the Salt Lake County Jail and held without bail.