Authorities from the Federal government say that a 63-year-old man from Antioch was responsible for a bombing on Christmas morning that left the suspect dead and captured the attention of the nation’s officials who worked over the holiday weekend to determine the parked RV’s detonator.
The reason behind his motivation is still unknown.
The explosive device claimed the life of the perpetrator, and officials identified Anthony Quinn Warner as the individual responsible on Sunday evening, a mere 60 hours following the detonation. Numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel collaborated intensively to unravel the mystery.
Don Cochran, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, declared, “he died in the explosion and he was there when the bomb detonated.”
Cochran stated that Warner’s remains were confirmed to be found at the scene through DNA evidence.
During Sunday’s declaration, Chief of Police for Metro Nashville, John Drake, stated, “Nashville is deemed secure.” “The extensive efforts put forth in this inquiry since the occurrence of the explosion on Friday are beyond my ability to accurately portray.”
The city was destroyed by an explosion that occurred on Second Avenue at around 6:30 a.M. On Friday. Prior to the bomb detonation, chilling details were released earlier in the day, warning residents to evacuate. Additionally, a man’s eerie portrait was added to an RV, which was located a block away from the blast site.
NASHVILLE BOMBING: Police bodycam footage provides a chilling perspective from the evacuation to the aftermath.
The recreational vehicle emanating from the peculiar recording reminded law enforcement officials present at the location prior to the detonation of the explosive device, while individuals familiar with Tony Warner on Sunday characterized him as an independent computer expert — and a person who preferred staying at home, taking care of his pets, and maintaining a private lifestyle.
Amidst a digitized female voice issuing alerts to vacate the vicinity, music could be heard, according to the officers.
“City center,” a nostalgic 1964 song by Petula Clark, reverberated along Second Avenue just prior to the explosion.
Clark’s voice resounded loudly through the speakers, proclaiming, “In moments of solitude and loneliness, going downtown can be a comforting option.” “I understand,” appears to alleviate the chaos and rush when burdened with concerns.
Despite massive destruction to 41 buildings, no one else was killed in the explosion. Officers helped evacuate nearby residents from several apartments.
The telecommunications company could have been the intended target, although authorities have not disclosed whether they suspect that the RV was stationed near an AT&T facility.
The explosion caused extensive damage to internet and phone coverage throughout the region, leaving customers without service and exposing vulnerabilities in the infrastructure. The blackouts in surrounding counties also disrupted communication centers for 911.
Gov. Bill Lee requested federal aid on Saturday to help businesses affected by an explosion in downtown, still limited in access until Sunday evening due to a curfew.
Officials have stated that they have declined to consider the bombing an act of terrorism, and they have also mentioned that Warner was not on the law enforcement radar before Friday’s explosion. The type of explosives used in the blast remains unknown. Authorities are expected to continue their investigation in the downtown area in the coming days.
No additional suspects were identified in the bombing, and investigators have reviewed hours of video surveillance footage from the surrounding area, according to Doug Korneski, a Special Agent with the FBI.
Warner was initially recognized as a suspect with the assistance of information provided by the general public. The Tennessee Highway Patrol connected a component of the recreational vehicle to Warner through a Vehicle Identification Number.
Korenski requested individuals who were familiar with Warner to contact the authorities and furnish details as they investigate “all potential reasons.”
“None of those responses will ever suffice for those who have been impacted by this incident,” Korenski stated.
Graduating in the mid-1970s, Warner was raised in Antioch and went to Antioch High School before establishing roots in the identical neighborhood and holding different positions in the field of information technology.
He informed his regular business client that he would no longer be working. The ownership of the home where he had lived for decades was transferred. Warner appeared to put his affairs in order in the just past month.
The title of his long-standing Bakertown Road residence was transferred to a woman from Los Angeles by Warner on the day preceding Thanksgiving, all for a sum of $0. The transaction, documented in property records, was executed through a quitclaim deed, which did not necessitate the woman’s signature.
Warner was hired as an IT contractor to provide business services five or four years ago. He repaired the company’s computers. He set up new machines for the employees and repaired the company’s computers. Warner was hired as an IT contractor to provide business services five or four years ago.
“In December he emailed us to inform that he would no longer be employed by us,” Fridrich stated.
Warner did not provide an explanation.
The FBI Agents confirmed that Warner, a person of interest in the case, visited the office of Jason, the spokesman, on Saturday evening. The company found out about this through news coverage.
Warner hadn’t had a run-in with authorities since 1978 when he was charged with a drug felony possession as a young adult, serving two years of probation.
Yearbooks from Antioch High School reveal that Warner, a diminutive adolescent with spectacles, participated in the school’s golf squad.
Charlie Bozman, a seasoned coach at Metro high school, was in charge of mentoring the golf team at Antioch in 1974 during Warner’s participation.
Bozman remembered, “He wasn’t sociable in my presence. He was an extremely introverted individual. What I can recall about him were essentially three characteristics: silent, courteous, and I hesitate to use the word, but honestly, quite nerdy.”
“I never had any behavioral issues with him whatsoever, but that entire group was all wonderful children.”
Presently, Warner lacks a public presence on social platforms or other online platforms.
Neighbors claim Warner had no apparent political belief
While he was on his way, he preferred to keep to himself rather than engaging in small talk with his neighbors. Instead of spending much of his time working in his yard, he rarely left home, as Warner, who had been living there for decades, would say.
Steve Schmoldt and his wife have been neighbors with Warner for 25 years. While some might consider him eccentric, Steve described Warner as “low-key” and amiable.
Schmoldt mentioned that Warner’s home gave the impression that he was a computer enthusiast who primarily worked from home. According to Schmoldt, it was rare to witness Warner leave or receive visitors at his residence.
Warner had positioned lights and surveillance cameras outside his residence.
Schmoldt expressed that there is a noticeable tall antenna located on the side of the house, where he would frequently engage in yard work. Warner personally constructed the fence surrounding his yard.
The neighbors never discussed politics or religion. Warner never showed any sign of having any strongly held beliefs.
He kept to himself the fact that he had any political beliefs, if he had any at all. I can tell you that he never had any flags or signs in his yard or anything like that, as far as I can tell.
According to Schmoldt, Warner constructed a gate within the fence and maneuvered the RV into his yard, even though the RV had remained parked outside the residence for several years until a few weeks ago.
Warner informed Daniel Douglas that he relocated the recreational vehicle due to individuals attempting to unlawfully access it, according to Daniel Douglas, who resided opposite Warner for a span of 26 years.
According to Douglas, Warner started receiving deliveries at his residence but later opted for a post office box to receive his correspondence. Warner’s neighbor mentioned that he frequently received packages after installing a mailbox, particularly within the past year.
As news unraveled on Friday morning, it wasn’t immediately apparent that Warner and his recreational vehicle were nowhere to be located.
“Honestly, we didn’t really notice its absence until the FBI and ATF arrived,” Schmoldt stated.
They noticed some cars driving down and up their street at night. In the question, they saw photos of the RV. As his wife and he watched the news on Christmas morning, information began to unfold about the bombing on Second Avenue.
Then on Saturday, they witnessed a sizable gathering of law enforcement personnel outside Warner’s residence.
“Oh my goodness, there is a SWAT team outside,” Schmoldt recalled his spouse exclaiming as she glanced out the main entrance in the midst of the morning.
Schmoldt was deeply impressed by Warner’s long-standing dedication to his animals when he discovered that the person in the RV seemed to have made an effort to prevent any harm.
Warner said that since Schmoldt passed away, he adopted a larger dog and two small Shelties. Over the years, Warner had taken really good care of his dogs, even building a wheelchair ramp for them to use the stairs inside the house.
Schmoldt stated, “In the event that it was him, he had no intention of causing harm to anyone.” “However, if that is true, what other implication does it carry? I simply, I am uncertain whether it was indeed him. They need to determine a motive of some sort.”