Police: Explosion in downtown Nashville is intentional, 41 businesses damaged
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Sources speaking with FOX 17 News Nashville say the leading theory for investigators involved in the Christmas Day bombing is the suspect died in the explosion.
Sources tell FOX 17 News two pieces of evidence had led to this theory: Video footage doesn't show a suspicious person walking away from the RV or down the streets minutes before the explosion and human tissue was found at the scene.
Nashville Fire Department Chief Swann says a building collapsed from the explosion. It's unclear at this time which building, but Chief Swann said it was residential. At least 41 buildings were damaged.
Mysterious RV explodes on Christmas Day:
The RV arrived on 2nd Ave. North at about 1:22 a.m.
Officers were responding to a shots fired call just a block away from Broadway at 5:30 a.m., when they spotted a suspicious RV parked outside 166 2nd Ave. North. Chief John Drake said the RV was making announcements warning that the bomb would detonate in 15 minutes.
Officers immediately began evacuating apartments.
The bomb squad was responding when the RV exploded outside the AT&T transmission building at about 6:30 a.m., Metro Police Spokesman Don Aaron said. One officer suffered hearing loss as a result of the explosion.
Aaron said three people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, although none were in critical condition.
FBI is leading the investigation with assistance from the ATF and Metro police. The downtown area remains sealed off to traffic and visitors. Nashville Fire Department's EOC calls this an "intentional bombing incident."
The area remains sealed off and a State of Civic Emergency is still in effect.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE (5:30 p.m.) Sources tell FOX 17 News possible human remains may have been found near the scene of the RV explosion on Christmas morning.
MNPD Chief Drake said tissue has been found near the scene of the explosion that could be human remains, but there are no known fatalities at this time.
Mayor John Cooper signed an executive order to issue a state of civil emergency for the area affected and a curfew starting at 4:30 p.m. on Christmas.
Nashville Fire Department Chief Swann says a building collapsed from the explosion. It's unclear at this time which building, but Chief Swann said it was residential. At least 41 buildings were damaged.
-----
Metro Police have released a photo of the RV that exploded in downtown Nashville Christmas morning.
Police said the explosion that rattled downtown Nashville Christmas morning and damaged several buildings, some extensively, is believed to be intentional.
RELATED:Nashville mayor: Curfew set for nearby areas affected by Christmas morning explosion
The RV arrived on 2nd Ave. North at about 1:22 a.m.
Officers were responding to a shots fired call just a block away from Broadway at 5:30 a.m., when they spotted a suspicious RV parked outside 166 2nd Ave. North. Chief John Drake said the RV was making announcements warning that the bomb would detonate in 15 minutes.
Officers immediately began evacuating apartments.
The bomb squad was responding when the RV exploded outside the AT&T transmission building at about 6:30 a.m., Metro Police Spokesman Don Aaron said. One officer suffered hearing loss as a result of the explosion.
Aaron said three people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, although none were in critical condition. He said some people were taken to the department’s central precinct for questioning but declined to give more details.
ALSO SEE: Nashville police were able to get people to safety before downtown explosion
FBI is leading the investigation with assistance from the ATF and Metro police. The downtown area remains sealed off to traffic and visitors. Nashville Fire Department's EOC calls this an "intentional bombing incident."
Anyone with information is asked to call in tips to the FBI here.
As of 11 a.m., police explosive detection dogs are searching the area for secondary devices, but police say there is no indication of more. Police dogs will continue conducting sweeps of downtown and then searching downtown buildings.
Nashville International Airport has also moved to take extra security measures, a spokesman stating "We have activated enhanced security protocol. Not at liberty to provide any additional details."
“It looks like a blast site which is hard to see," Nashville Mayor John Cooper said.
Fire crews says windows are broken out from the explosion area to Broadway and to avoid the area.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
President Trump has been briefed on the explosion and will continue to receive updates.
"The President is grateful for the incredible first responders and praying for those who were injured," a statement from the White House said.
Gov. Bill Lee said the state will provide any resources necessary to determine what happened and who is responsible.
Smoke could be seen billowing from buildings downtown from the FOX 17 News city camera system in the 7 a.m. hour. Folks reported feeling shaking in the area.
WeGo, Nashville's city bus system, suspended services Friday but will resume regular routes on Saturday. WeGo says it will be detouring around the "No-Go Explosion Zone" until further notice.
Metro Nashville Police Department and Nashville Fire Department also remain on scene.
The chancellor of Vanderbilt University released the following statement on Christmas afternoon:
"Our thoughts go out to all those impacted by this morning’s explosion in downtown Nashville, especially during what should be a time of joy and celebration," Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said.
This is a developing story. Check fox17.com for the latest updates.