By Daniel L. Bamberg
The evening of Wednesday, April 6th was no ordinary time for the city of Brent. Those who were making routine visits to the local Wal-Mart from about 6:45 p.m. and beyond would discover that an emergency situation was underway.
After a shopper discovered what appeared to be an explosive device authorities were contacted. Officers from Brent Police Department arrived on the scene immediately following the call.
The device, which would eventually be proven non-explosive, looked like two cylinders attached to one another and wrapped in electrical tape. Officers on the scene stated that it was either a bomb or was made to look like a bomb.
Authorities began immediately creating a buffer area around the potential bomb, by calming asking those parked close to move their vehicles. After Brent Chief Nichols arrived on the scene he made a determination for Wal-Mart customers to evacuate the parking lot all together. Within minutes shoppers collectively evacuated the scene. Wal-Mart associates were moved outside left hand portion of the store, which placed them behind a wall, away from any glass, or debris, which could come from a potential explosion.
Brent Police, were being aided at the time by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department and Centreville Police Department, notified the U.S Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms as well as the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The bomb dismantling team from Tuscaloosa arrived on the scene at approximately 8:30 p.m. according to Nichols.
Tuscaloosa Sheriff’s used a bomb robot to conclude whether or not the object was threatening in anyway. The robot determined that it was indeed very similar to a bomb. Following this determination Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s made a decision to detonate the object using a shotgun mounted on the robot. The detonation occurred a little after 9:30 p.m. After the robot shot the object there was no explosion and the instrument was determined to be of no threat.
On Thursday morning Nichols explained that this situation was likely a sophisticated hoax. He explained that the object had all the makings of the bomb and only lacked the certain thing that would make it explode. Hoax or not Nichols stressed that the act was criminal and that any suspect found in connection would be met with appropriate legal pursuit.
Federal ATF agents and the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s office are seeking the culprit.
While Nichols explained that at this point he was uncertain what charges may be brought to a suspect, he expects that restitution at the very least may be sought by Wal-Mart for the shutting down of the store which occurred. Nichols also believes the City of Brent may be able to seek restitution for the loss in sales tax during the incident.
As of press time no one has been charged or brought in for questioning in connection with the Wednesday night scare, but officials expect do expect to find the suspect or suspects.
photo - With his cellular phone, Christopher Doty, a Wal-Mart Associate captured this amateur photograph of the ATF bomb dismantling robot.
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