October 28, 2003

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Asst. to the Fire Chief
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2411, page: 675-2137

Explosive "Looking" Device found in Stoner Hill Neighborhood

Shreveport fire investigators in cooperation with Shreveport police are trying to determine who left an explosive "looking" devise in a vacant field

in the 1100 block of Vaughn Avenue. The Shreveport Fire Department’s Bomb Squad was summoned by police after they received a call reporting a suspicious looking devise in the Stoner Hill neighborhood this morning just after 10:30 a.m. Fire officials quickly identified the materials making up the object, albeit from a distance with binoculars, as resembling an incendiary-explosive device and took due precaution.

A fire bomb technician suited into a fully encapsulated bomb-suit and proceeded to walk the several hundred feet to where the object rested in the field. Area residence had been asked to remain in their homes and away from doors and windows until fire officials could give the all clear. The bomb technician applied a disrupter to the device which manipulated and disbursed it’s makeup so investigators could get a better look at the components to determine if the materials were truly explosive. After the disrupter’s actions, fire bomb squad officials determined that the substance of the object was not explosive in nature. The materials to make up the device were identified as including lumber, duct tape, electrical parts and clay. The evidence was taken by police to the crime lab to evaluate it for finger prints. If any are found they can be run through a national date base for possible matches.

Fire and police officials are treating the incident as crime and asking anyone with information to contact the Fire Investigations office at 673-6740 or the Shreveport police. Charges could range from creating an explosive device to a federal charge of terrorism. Both charges are felonies. ###