OAN’s Avril Elfie
1:05 PM – Thursday, April 11, 2024
An Alabama man has been arrested and charged with detonating an explosive device outside state Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office.
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On Wednesday, authorities took Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert into custody on charges of malicious use of explosives and possession of an unregistered destructive device.
Investigators arrested a 26-year-old suspect weeks after an explosive device went off in front of Marshall’s office around 3:45 a.m. on Feb. 24.th.
“My staff and I are all breathing a sigh of relief this morning to learn that this person has been taken off the streets.” Marshall said in a statement. “More information will be provided in the coming weeks, but I think it’s safe to say this was not a random act of violence,” he added. “We are grateful to our federal and local partners for their assistance in this matter, and we are pleased that the offenders received prison time on federal charges.”
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said authorities received a report of a suspicious package on Monday after the explosion.
The package was later confirmed to be an explosive device.
“This IED was enhanced by using commercially available fireworks as the primary explosive, using a coffee can as a concealment container, and adding debris and ignitable liquid,” according to court documents. is writing. “The addition of metal screws, nails, and other hardware to this IED exhibits weaponizing properties by enhancing the fragmentation effect those materials produce.” The addition enhances the IED’s ability to fire, thereby demonstrating its weaponization properties.”
According to reports, there were no injuries and there was no major damage to nearby buildings.
Authorities released surveillance footage of the man walking on the sidewalk minutes after the incident.
In the video, a man can be seen putting up stickers around the city that say “Support your local Antifa,” as well as signs like “Eat Rich,” “Feminist Activism,” and “Abolish Ice.” Some stickers included words.
Investigators then located Calvert using the vehicle the subject was seen driving before and after the incident, according to the filing.
They also compared surveillance footage of Calvert from his former employer with footage of the subject taken at the scene and found that both had a similar “unique gait.”
The filing also says Calvert shared a photo on social media of himself wearing goggles “identical” to those used by the person who detonated the explosives.
Calvert is said to have posted on social media about his “violent impulses” and his frustrations with the government.
“Oh my god, why don’t we kill the government right now!” Calvert reportedly said in a video posted on Dec. 12.th2023.
Calvert could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. Investigators have not yet released a motive.
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