Nashville bombing: Downtown business owners, residents to get closer glimpse of the damage
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said he believes Anthony Quinn Warner was more focused on destruction than harming people when he detonated a bomb on Christmas morning in downtown Nashville.
The director made the comments during a Monday interview with TODAY.
"It does appear that the intent was more destruction than death," he said. "That's all still speculation at this point as we continue in our investigation with all of our partners."
A motive hasn't been released in the RV explosion that rocked Nashville, wrecked more than 40 businesses and injured three people. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it's brought in a Behavioral Analysis Unit to help in the investigation.
Agents were seen Monday combing the rubble left behind in the bomb's wake for evidence.
MORE:Anthony Quinn Warner, self-employed computer guru ID'd as lone Nashville bomber, killed in blast
FBI provides services to victims
Beci Elam with FBI Victims Services Division told reporters Tuesday night that over 200 needs assessments have been performed for those affected by the bombing.
It's not clear how many people were displaced by the explosion and how many businesses were affected, Elam said, but most of the assessments have been for business owners.
The division responds to situations like what unfolded in Nashville on Christmas and works to connect victims to services they need. The FBI specialists have helped some residents get access to new passports, IDs and medications they left behind after the explosion.
The FBI was working with the city to create a list of resources available to them locally.
"Each of these (situations) is nuanced and every community is different," she said.
Cleanup can't begin until feds give green light
Cleanup from the blast can't begin until federal authorities give the OK and release the restricted area.
Once Metro can gain access to the area, the Codes Department will begin assessing damage using FEMA guidelines, which should take about a day. It's not clear when federal authorities will let other agencies access the restricted area.
On Tuesday, some Metro departments began the work they could. Metro Public Works placed barricades around the area and swept streets.
The Office of Emergency Management gave business owners tarps and other securing supplies to help their secure their buildings.
The Nashville Fire Department's tower trucks were used to reach the tops of buildings to remove debris from the explosion.
Blast may have damaged clay sewage pipes
Clay pipes dating back to the early 1900s lay under the surface of Second Avenue and may be damaged, according to Metro Water Services spokesperson Sonia Allman.
"We have serious concerns that the clay pipes may have failed due to the blast’s impact and vibration," Allman said in an email.
She said they do not believe there has been any damage to the public water system, but that Metro Water will need to televise the pipes to fully assess damage. Allman said more information will be available once it is safe to conduct the assessment.
Downtown business owners, residents to get closer glimpse of the damage
At the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Broadway, two different worlds collided on Tuesday morning.
To the southeast, pedestrians milled about around 11 a.m., families and kids and a few joggers. A band was warming up at a honky tonk on the corner before opening, a man was walking a dog.
Kids in winter hats watched candy being made.
But to the northeast, behind a high chain-link fence, the damage from Friday's explosion was still visible. Wooden boards were piled a few blocks away, a tarp was being hung in front of the windows of a cowboy boot store.
The sound of an alarm continued on that side of the street, in contrast to the music piped out from bars and restaurants down the road. Emergency lights were reflected in the school bus being used as a roadblock.
A checkpoint set up at First Avenue and Broadway saw approximately two dozen people lining up at a time to get access to residences and businesses inside the investigation perimeter maintained by lead investigating agency the FBI.
About 20 business owners who have shops on the edge of the sprawling crime scene in downtown Nashville will return briefly Tuesday to survey the destruction.
"We're trying to give them as much of a head start as we can," Metro Nashville Police Deputy Chief Chris Taylor said. "That way, they're not caught off guard by the severity of the damage."
The heart of the bomb site, Second Avenue north of Broadway's honky-tonk district, will stay fully closed to anyone but investigators and Metro officials at least through Friday, he said.
Biden, Lee, Blackburn praise MNPD officers, law enforcement
President-elect Joe Biden discussed the intentional explosion on Monday.
"This bombing was a reminder of the destructive power of an individual or a small group," he said. "I know the hearts of all Americans are with the people of Nashville as they rebuild and recover from this traumatic event."
Biden praised the city's police department and first responders who risked their own lives to evacuate residents after hearing a chilling message from the RV urging evacuation ahead of the explosion.
"Their bravery and cool-headedness likely saved lives and prevented a worse outcome, and we are eternally grateful for that law enforcement agency," he said.
Gov. Bill Lee also heralded the efforts of the six MNPD officers at the scene after he visited the site on Saturday morning. He said he requested an emergency declaration from President Donald Trump to help with ongoing efforts and relief.
'15 MINUTES TO CLEAR THE AREA': How Nashville police raced to save lives as a bomb ticked down
"The damage is shocking and it is a miracle that no residents were killed," Lee said on Twitter.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., visited the site on Monday and met with law enforcement officials. She said they discussed the federal resources needed to investigate and rebuild. Echoing Biden and Lee, she praised the multiple agencies involved in the response and investigation.
"Thank you all for your continued efforts for our community," Blackburn said in a Twitter post.
Nashville mayor, United Way launch fund to help those affected by blast
Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced a fund on Tuesday to assist those affected by the bombing. The United Way of Greater Nashville will be accepting donations through its "Restore the Dream Fund," according to a news release from Cooper.
The funds will be used to help individuals and families get assistance to meet basic needs, help employees who are out of work and support those who lost businesses and homes in the blast, according to the release.
"This explosion is yet another devastating incident in an already incredibly tough year for our community," said Brian Hassett, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Greater Nashville. "People have lost their homes, employees are out of work and we want to be there — to help support them however we can.”
The funds will filter through the United Way into local nonprofits that will help assess needs and support those affected by the explosion.
To contribute to the Restore the Dream Fund, visit unitedwaygreaternashville.org or text “RESTORE 20” to 41444. Those affected by the explosion who need immediate assistance can United Way’s 24-hour resource and referral line at 211 or visit 211.org for help.
Body camera footage released shows moments leading up to explosion
The Metro Nashville Police Department released body camera footage Monday night from an officer who was on scene when the explosion occurred.
The footage shows tense moments leading up to the explosion from Officer Michael Sipos' body camera as he and other officers evacuated residents near the RV.
The 10-minute video also shows the bomb explosion occurring, showing the quick transition from the quiet, early hours of Christmas to the harrowing minutes after the RV exploded as startled residents fled their homes.
FBI releases photos from blast site
The FBI Memphis released photos from the blast site. The photos reveal more of the scope of the devastation, with officials looking out over decimated buildings and charred remains.
Evidence Response Teams from both the FBI and ATF are working together, the FBI Memphis said in a tweet.
"The teams are searching for evidence to assist in the ongoing investigation," the FBI Memphis said.
Road closures, WeGo transit detours continue Tuesday
Several roads were still closed or restricted through Wednesday at 12 p.m., according to Nashville Mayor John Cooper. The area fully closed to traffic is bounded by Union Avenue, Broadway, Third Avenue and the Cumberland River. However, Union is accessible to vehicles, while the boundary is closed at Third and Broadway. Traffic on First Avenue is only accessible to MTA buses. Traffic from Second to Demonbreun is restricted.
WeGo public transit, including buses, are fully operational but detouring around the investigation zone, according to a news release from WeGo on Monday afternoon. No buses or access trips will pick up, drop off or operate downtown between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Broadway, stretching from First Avenue North to Third Avenue North.
Downtown riders can board at WeGo Central at 400 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. or another stop outside the investigation zone.
A temporary customer service hotline has been set up at 629-239-0474 as AT&T continues to restore service in the Nashville area. More information on routes, detours and closures can be found at nashvillemta.org.
Highway patrol: Parts, forensics helped ID vehicle
The Tennessee Highway Patrol released more details late Monday on how it worked to reconstruct the vehicle identification number of Warner's RV. The damage to the RV was so extensive that investigators said no one part of it had a complete number. The team combed the wreckage for parts and, after two days of careful forensic processing, was able to reconstruct the VIN. That helped identify Warner, along with tips from the public and DNA evidence, authorities said.
Reporter Sandy Mazza contributed.
Reach Brinley Hineman at bhineman@tennessean.com and on Twitter @brinleyhineman.