FBI offers $20,000 reward after incendiary device thrown at Atlanta ICE building
In short
The FBI is investigating an incendiary device thrown at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday night. It offered $20,000 for information leading to the arrest of an unidentified male. The bureau said the damage was minor and no arrests had been made.
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The FBI is investigating reports of an incendiary device being thrown at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday night, according to ABC News and The Hill. [ 6 , 7 ]
The FBI offered $20,000 on Wednesday for information leading to the arrest of an unidentified male who investigators say threw a "Molotov cocktail-style device" at the building the night before, according to an AP report carried by The Seattle Times and The Boston Globe. The device caused minor damage, the FBI said in a statement, which did not specify whether the building itself was hit. The bureau said the "attempted arson" happened at around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday and that agents were "reviewing evidence and following leads." No arrests had been made. [ 2 , 3 ]
ABC News reported that the FBI said there were no reports of injuries or significant damage. "FBI personnel and evidence response technicians are on site collecting evidence," the statement said. "There is no known threat to public safety at this time." The Hill said the statement was obtained by NewsNation, The Hill's broadcasting partner. [ 6 , 7 ]
ABC News said video online shows crime scene tape and law enforcement outside the building. ICE did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment on Tuesday night, and Atlanta police directed questions to federal authorities. [ 6 ]
The multi-story brick building, surrounded by a metal fence, contains offices for ICE as well as an immigration court. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The building houses ICE offices and an immigration court, and federal agents are collecting evidence at the site. The FBI said there is no known threat to public safety at this time.
Key facts
- The FBI is investigating reports of an incendiary device being thrown at the ICE building in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday night. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- The FBI offered $20,000 on Wednesday for information leading to the arrest of an unidentified male who investigators say threw a "Molotov cocktail-style device". [ 2 , 3 ]
- The FBI said the "attempted arson" happened at around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The FBI said the device caused minor damage and did not specify whether the building itself was hit. [ 2 , 3 ]
- No arrests had been made. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The multi-story brick building, surrounded by a metal fence, contains ICE offices and an immigration court. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Who threw the device The FBI described the suspect only as an unidentified male, and no arrests had been made.
- Whether the building itself was hit The FBI statement did not specify, according to the AP report carried by The Seattle Times and The Boston Globe.
- The extent of the damage The AP report said the FBI described minor damage, while ABC News reported the FBI saying there were no reports of injuries or significant damage.
- ICE's response ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday night, and Atlanta police directed questions to federal authorities, according to ABC News.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Tuesday night: the FBI said the attempted arson happened at around this time. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Associated Press published a report headlined that the FBI was investigating reports of an incendiary device thrown at the Atlanta ICE building. [ 1 ]
- The Seattle Times published the AP report on the $20,000 reward. [ 2 ]
- ABC News reported the FBI's statement about evidence collection and no known threat to public safety. [ 6 ]