FBI agents are on the scene at Northwest Baptist Church where earlier this afternoon three members of an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Bomb Squad “rendered safe” what appears to have been a homemade explosive device.
Cpl. Jason Qualls, Ardmore Police Department Public Information Officer, said officers responded about 12:30 p.m. to the parking lot of the church, located at 1609 Robison St.
“A device had been found - a can, wrapped in black electrical tape, with what appeared to be a fuse at one end,” was found,” Qualls said, adding APD officers requested assistance from OHP.
Capt. Ronnie Hampton, Commander OHP Troop F, headquartered in Ardmore, confirmed bomb technicians were dispatched to the scene. The group arrived mid afternoon. The device was immobilized
Sources near the scene said the device was detonated, but official sources did not immediately confirm how the device was “rendered safe.”
About 5:15 p.m. Hampton said, “I received an e-mail from their commander they had been mobilized. I have not received a final report from him on exactly how they handled it.”
The scene has been turned over to the FBI.
FBI Oklahoma Public Information Officer Clay Simmonds said about 5:20 p.m. agents have taken over the lead role in the investigation.
“We’re looking into it - who put it there (parking lot) and what the motivation was,” Simmonds said.
Marsha Miller 221-6529
