US federal officials said on Sunday that a man believed to be responsible for the Christmas Day blast that rocked downtown Nashville has been identified as Anthony Quinn Warner. Officials said Warner blew himself up in the explosion.
According to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, evidence indicates that Warner likely did not intend to kill others in the attack.
“It does appear that the intent was more destruction than death,” said David Rausch, director of the TBI, in an interview Monday on TODAY. “That’s all still speculation at this point as we continue in our investigation with all of our partners.”
Investigators named the 63-year-old Anthony Warner as the “bomber” in Nashville explosion, and that they had confirmed his remains were found at the scene of the blast, which took place on the morning of December 25.
Police believe Warner acted alone in parking his RV outside an AT&T switch facility before blaring evacuation warnings and made a 15-minute countdown. The bomb set off at 6:30 and damaged dozens of buildings in the area.
“When you look at all the facts at this point, obviously the audio from the vehicle warning people that an explosion was imminent, the opportunity to clear the area, certainly gives you that insight that the possibility was he had no intention of harming anyone but himself,” Rausch said. “That obviously plays into our investigation.”
Investigators have not uncovered a singular motive for the act nor was it revealed why Warner had selected the particular location for the bombing.
Anthony Warner was not known to law enforcement before he was named the bomber in the Nashville explosion. Public records show he had experience with electronics and alarms, and had also worked as computer consultant for a Nashville realtor.
“We’re still following leads, but right now there is no indication that any other persons were involved,” said Douglas Korneski, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Memphis field office. “We’ve reviewed hours of security video surrounding the recreation vehicle. We saw no other people involved.”
According to an Associated Press report, forensic analysts are reviewing evidence collected from the blast site to try to identify the components of the explosives as well as information from the US Bomb Data Center for intelligence and investigative leads. They are also investigating Anthony Warner’s digital footprint and financial history, as well as a recent deed transfer of the home they searched in suburban Nashville.
Police are also interviewing acquaintances of Warner’s to try to determine what may have motivated him to bomb Nashville.
Warner was not married and rarely ventured from his home, according to neighbors; he lived for years with his parents and then by himself. He protected his home with an array of security cameras, rarely returning a neighborly wave and not responding to an offer of Christmas dinner, neighbors said in interviews.
