Washington DC explosions – latest: Nation’s capital on edge as new photos show suspect wanted for attacks
Nike, Safeway, and Truist Bank all targeted with explosions within 15 minutes of each other on Sunday morning
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Police have released additional photos of a suspect on the run after three explosions took place in Washington, DC over the weekend in what appears to be targeted attacks on businesses.
An ATM, a Nike store, and a Safeway grocery store were all struck by explosions starting at about 4.30am on Sunday.
Police are on the lookout for a vehicle used in the explosions.
The attacks all occurred within 15 minutes, with the first taking place when the suspect blew up an ATM outside Truist Bank in the 2300 block of Washington Place.
After leaving the scene in the car, the suspect detonated a second explosion at 4.36am at the Nike Store located in the 700 block of H Street.
Nine minutes later, a Molotov cocktail-style explosive was thrown at the Safeway grocery store on the 300 block of 40th Street before the suspect again left the scene by car.
No injuries have been reported and the Metropolitan Police has said that the suspect didn’t appear to have been targeting the public as the explosions took place at closed businesses.
The attacks
The series of attacks all took place within a 15-minute period in the early hours of Sunday morning – a time when the streets of the city were deserted.
At around 4.30am, the unidentified suspect detonated an explosive device on the sidewalk outside of the ATM at the Truist Bank in the 2300 block of Washington Place.
After fleeing the scene in a vehicle, the suspect struck a second time – this time targeting the Nike Store located in the 700 block of H Street.
At 4.36am, the device was detonated on the sidewalk in front of the store doors before the suspect again fled the scene by car.
Just nine minutes later, the same suspect allegedly threw a “Molotov cocktail style object” at the Safeway store on the 300 block of 40th Street.
The suspect fled in the scene in a vehicle.
All three locations were damaged by the explosions but no injuries were reported.
Metropolitan Police Department said that, in each of the attacks, the suspect targeted commercial establishments which were all closed at the time and does not appear to have been targeting members of the public.
PICTURED: New surveillance images of suspect wanted for string of explosions
$20,000 reward for information leading to arrest
Metropolitan Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division are seeking the public’s help in identifying suspects and the vehicle involved.
A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals behind the Sunday attacks.
Anyone who may have any information about these incidents, to include video or photos from any of the offense location are encouraged to call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.
‘It shook my living room. It knocked all of my security cameras off the wall'
A resident who lives above the Truist Bank told NBC Washington that he was “rattled” by the blast.
“It shook my living room. It knocked all of my security cameras off the wall. It knocked my pictures off the wall. It pretty much rattled me,” he said.
The windows of the bank were boarded up on Sunday and the Nike store also had to be closed.
A customer, Nour Hasan, told NBC: “It’s frightening, right? I don’t know what it is, if it’s a firework or something like that, but it’s definitely concerning.”
ANC 6C Commissioner Patricia Eguino told the outlet: “I am very much appalled by the incidents. I find it unsettling.”
Mystery hooded suspect
Hours after the incidents, Metropolitan Police released surveillance images of the suspect as well as a vehicle wanted in connection to the attacks.
The suspect was dressed in black trousers and a white/cream hooded top.
The vehicle is a gold or champagne-coloured Acura TL with Maryland licence plate 17971CK.
The Metropolitan Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect or suspects.
A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone who may have any information about these incidents, to include video or photos from any of the offense location are encouraged to call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.
Surveillance video captures police responding to explosion scene
Surveillance video captured police officers responding to the scene of one of three explosions outside businesses in Washington, DC, on Sunday morning.
The video, posted to Twitter by 7News reporter Megan Clarke, was taken outside the Truist Bank, which was the first business hit in the string of three attacks.
A suspect allegedly detonated an “explosive device” on the sidewalk by an ATM at approximately 4.30am.
The footage shows police cars pulling up and fire trucks racing past.
Two days with no suspect
More than 48 hours have passed since the explosive attacks on three businesses in Washington, DC.
The manhunt for a hooded suspect is believed to be ongoing as the city sits on edge.
The DC Police Department has not offered an update in almost 24 hours, when an initial plea for information was amended with additional photos on Monday morning.
Anyone with information is urged to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411 with tips.
Motive remains unclear
Investigators have yet to determine a motive for the explosive attacks.
The Metropolitan Police Department said that, in each of the attacks, the suspect targeted commercial establishments which were all closed at the time and does not appear to have been targeting members of the public.
No one was injured in the blasts that caused significant damage to each of the buildings.
A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals behind the attacks.
Attacks may have been vandalism, police insiders say
While the official motive for the attacks remains unclear, multiple sources tell ABC News that they may have been acts of vandalism.
The sources said the explosions are believed to be isolated incidents and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
It comes as the Metropolitan Police Department is increasing staffing levels for the Fourth of July holiday in the nation’s capital.
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