Nashville Christmas Bomber Acted Alone, FBI Investigation Finds
By Anand Vasu
The Federal Bureau of Investigation found that Anthony Quinn Warner acted alone in the Christmas day bombing in downtown Nashville. Investigations revealed that Warner was motivated by a desire to kill himself, and it was not an act related to terrorism.
It was also found that Warner chose his location so that it would create an impact, and yet minimized the likelihood of injuring others.
The wide-ranging investigation involved the recovery of more than 3,000 pounds of evidence from the blast site, combing through more than 2,500 tips, and conducting more than 250 interviews, the FBI said in a release.
The investigative team took diligent steps to determine the reason or reasons why Warner decided to construct and ultimately detonate his device in downtown Nashville on Dec. 25, 2020. The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, based in Quantico, Virginia, further assisted the local investigative team in answering this question.
The report found that Warner’s actions were based on his desire to kill himself as a result of certain “stressors” including paranoia, long-held individualized beliefs adopted from several eccentric conspiracy theories.
Warner’s interpersonal relationships were also deteriorating at the time and he had experienced the loss of stabilizing anchors, the investigation found.
He had parked his recreational vehicle at the location he had chosen, and urged residents to evacuate, using a loudspeaker, before playing music and then detonating the bomb.
At the time, USA Today reported that 41 buildings were damaged and three individuals injured in the explosion.
“The FBI would like to thank the citizens and private sector partners of Nashville, Tennessee, for their support during the response and investigation, especially those who provided tips and volunteered their time and resources,” Douglas Korneski of the FBI Memphis Field Office, said.
“Additionally, the collaborative efforts of all local, state and federal agencies who responded to this incident, and the hundreds of hours dedicated by their men and women, were truly invaluable to this unified effort,” said Korneski. “They exemplified the tireless dedication we’ve come to expect from those who respond to these types of critical incidents.”
While the FBI announced its latest findings, there were other investigations into the incident that are still ongoing. These investigations are looking into whether the Nashville police department could have done more to prevent the incident.
In the aftermath of the incident a five-member panel, including two police officers, was tasked with checking if there were any lapses on the part of law enforcement in the lead up to the bombing.
The Nashville Council also created a Special Bombing Review Commission to look into possible policy changes that could be made in the aftermath of the incident.