Sunday, April 27, 2014

Slow Saturday Special: Weird Worcester Bomb Threat Leaves One Wondering

"State Police dispose of pipe bomb found in Worcester" by Jacqueline Tempera | Globe Correspondent   April 25, 2014

State Police found a pipe bomb in Worcester at the location of an early morning shooting, but after investigation the device was rendered safe, police said.

Worcester police responded to Barclay Street about 10 a.m., for a report of a suspicious device. When they arrived, they found the small pipe bomb resting atop a spare tire affixed to an SUV parked in the driveway, police said.

Police immediately called in for help. The State Police bomb squad responded along with Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms employees, and Worcester police’s arson squad, detectives, and a K-9 unit, police said.

The area surrounding the home was closed to all traffic and pedestrians during the search. Nearby apartments were evacuated, police said.

State Police troopers used a water cannon to deactivate the bomb. No injuries were reported.

The Barclay address was also the scene of an early morning shooting, police said.

About 2:40 a.m., police responded to this house after they received a ShotSpotter notification alerting them of gun shots. They found bullet holes in the front of the home, but no residents called the police to report the shooting, police said.

Officers have not ruled out the possibility that this events are related. Investigators believe this home was targeted and the acts were not random.

Worcester police will continue to investigate this incident.

“We will develop a focused and comprehensive police response,” said Worcester Police Chief Gary J. Gemmein a statement this afternoon. “Police units will immediately begin to focus on the area and follow up on leads.”

Police did not find any additional devices in the area. The pipe bomb was taken to the State Police’s crime lab for analysis, police said.

“Our neighborhoods continue to thrive and we will work to reverse this recent uptick in violence,” said Gemme. “We have a number of overlapping strategies to ensure that these neighborhoods and communities are safe.”

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I'm also wondering why this was edited out:

"Homeowner Steven Bowhile said he did not know why anyone would want to attack his home. "I have no idea whatsoever who would have done it or why," he said. "I have never had any issues with anyone here." Mr. Bowhile, a native of West Africa who has lived in Worcester for 14 years, lives with his wife and three children. He has two daughters, 11 and 13, as well as a 19-year-old son. He said he discovered the bomb on the spare tire of his SUV."

It was good enough for print.