Nashville bombing: Downtown curfew extended; moving days set for Saturday and Sunday
Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced that a curfew for a section of downtown has been extended in the wake of a Christmas Day bombing on Second Avenue North.
The curfew began at 5 p.m. Thursday and will end at 5 p.m. on Jan. 15 for the area bounded by Union Street, Second Avenue North, Broadway and the Cumberland River. It includes all structures and properties front Second Avenue North, the mayor said on Twitter.
Additionally, Cooper said several streets are closed around the scene of the blast, including:
- First Avenue North and Second Avenue North from Broadway to just north of Union Street
- Church Street from First Avenue North to Third Avenue North
- Commerce Street from Second Avenue North to Third Avenue North
Business owners and residents who were significantly impacted by the blast can choose three-hour blocks of time on Saturday and Sunday to retrieve their belongings.
These first two "Nashville Strong Moving Days" will run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Urban Search and Rescue teams will be available to escort people into restricted areas and Metro Nashville Police Department officers will assist with accommodation for vehicles, according to a statement released Wednesday.
Impacted individuals will receive emails directing them to schedule a time to enter the area. Those who do not receive this email can request information from MNPD Sergeant Brion Kris Delap at brion.delap@nashville.gov. Other moving days will be held in the future for those who are unable to schedule a time this weekend.
MORE:A bomb shook Nashville on Christmas Day. Here's what we know about the damage
Legal aid being offered to bombing victims
Legal assistance organizations and bar associations have joined forces to support people affected by the downtown Christmas morning bombing. The Nashville Bar Association is partnering with Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, and the Tennessee Bar Association to host a legal clinic on Jan. 15.
Those facing legal issues as a result of the bombing may call 615-953-4961. Callers should identify that they are seeking bombing related legal assistance and be prepared to provide a phone number where they can be reached by an attorney.
Examples of legal assistance available include:
- Assistance with property insurance claims;
- Questions regarding debt and bankruptcy issues;
- Help with home repair contracts and contractors;
- Replacement of wills and other important legal documents lost or destroyed in the disaster;
- Consumer protection issues such as price-gouging and avoiding contractor scams in the rebuilding process; and
- Counseling on landlord-tenant issues.
Police to investigate 2019 response to report about bomber
Nashville Police Chief John Drake announced a five-member team that will review the department's response to the home of Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, after a report in 2019 that said he may have been building bombs in his recreational vehicle.
Police said Warner was responsible for the Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville and that he died in the blast. Metro Nashville Police Department officers did not make contact with Warner in August 2019 after a woman believed to be his former girlfriend made the report.
REPORT:Girlfriend warned Nashville police Anthony Warner was building bomb a year ago
Drake said the team will perform a review of MNPD's response. Deputy Chief Dwayne Greene and Kathy Morante, who is a lawyer and heads the professional standards division for the department, will be part of the team. Three others from outside MNPD will join them: Nashville lawyer and former United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Ed Yarbrough; Community Oversight Board Executive Director Jill Fitcheard; and Metro Council Member Jennifer Gamble, who chairs the Public Safety Committee.
“These five persons will meet with the officers involved in the near future, hear the information they had in August 2019, and what they did at the time based on that information,” Drake said. “The review will focus specifically on 2019 to determine whether any gaps existed from which we can learn moving forward."
MORE DETAILS:Police update timeline on when they knew of 2019 report about Nashville bomber
Titans to honor six MNPD officers
The Tennessee Titans on Sunday will honor six first responders who helped evacuate residents before the Dec. 25 explosion in downtown Nashville prior to kickoff of Sunday’s playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, Metro Nashville Police Department officials said.
“While we can never thank these officers enough for their heroic acts, it is an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to honor them at the game on Sunday,” said Titans president and CEO Burke Nihill. “We are grateful for their service to our community and appreciate that we’ll have them on site to support the team.”
The six people – Officers Brenna Hosey, Tyler Luellen, Michael Sipos, Amanda Topping, James Wells and Sergeant Timothy Miller - will attend the game and plunge the Titans Sword of Honor to mark the countdown to kickoff, police said.
“To be able to stand at the stadium with [my fellow officers] and receive this honor together is amazing,” Wells said. “It was not what one individual did or said, it was about all of us coming together to protect our community, keep our community safe and keep each other safe.”
Titans players will continue to wear the “615 Strong” helmet decal in this weekend’s game, honoring Nashville’s resilience and the six officers. The “6” is highlighted in Titans light blue in their honor.
Council honors officers
Nashville Sgt. Timothy Miller cried Tuesday night as he made brief remarks to Metro Council, after they passed a resolution honoring the police officers that responded to the Christmas Day bombing.
"None of us do this job to be recognized. But we certainly do appreciate it," Miller said.
He said the outpouring of support following the bombing has been tremendous. And while he hasn't talked much about the incident itself, Miller said he will after some time has passed.
"But for now, thank you to everyone involved," Miller said.
He said he was grateful his officers were OK and that he was standing in council chambers Tuesday with his wife and children. Council approved the resolution, which also honored all other first responders on Christmas and the ensuing days.
Crews discover water main leaks, restore service to some areas
Metro Water Services reopened the water main and restored services on First Avenue between Church Street and Broadway and on Church Street between First and Second Avenues as of Wednesday morning.
Crews discovered leaks in the water main on Second Avenue between Commerce Street and Church Street after partially opening the valve Tuesday. That water main will remain closed.
Parts of downtown still closed
A portion of downtown Nashville remains closed as the investigation and recovery surrounding the Christmas Day bombing continues.
As of Wednesday morning, the city said the "operational area" is now bounded by First Avenue North, Second Avenue North, Broadway and Union Street.
A restricted area stretches between First Avenue North and Second Avenue North from Commerce Street to Church Street, according to Metro Nashville Codes Department spokesperson Eben Cathey.
A temporary flight restriction is now in place within a half-mile radius around the blast site after a helicopter flying over Second Avenue blew debris and glass into crews working in the area on Tuesday, according to the Nashville Office of Emergency Management.
Only the "bare minimum" of workers like structural engineers and utility workers are allowed inside the restricted area, according to Nashville Office of Emergency Management spokesperson Joseph Pleasant. They must sign in daily and are allowed in with an escort, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. as weather permits.
In the larger operational area, outside the restricted zone, both public and private workers are allowed 24 hours day, weather permitting. They must also sign in for accountability, Pleasant said.
Building and business owners are able to visit the operational area by checking in at First Avenue and Broadway. Those who need to get into the restricted zone must be escorted by the Urban Search and Rescue Team.
THE SCENE:What is still closed, restricted as recovery and investigation continue
Like the 'middle of a war zone'
Speaking to the Nashville rotary Monday afternoon, Police Chief John Drake recalled how he stared up at his ceiling Christmas morning when told about initial reports of what had happened downtown. He said he wondered whether something had gone wrong when someone was camping in their RV trying to stay warm.
But then, he was told it was intentional.
When he arrived to the scene that morning, he said Second Avenue looked like the "middle of a war zone." Water flying in every direction, sirens blaring, cars and buildings destroyed and trees strewn in the road.
"It looked like somebody had dropped a bomb out of a plane and it landed right on Second Avenue," Drake said on the Zoom call. "It just felt like I was in an area that was under siege."
Drake gave credit to the police officers who responded to initial calls of shots fired and found themselves facing a bomb threat with little time to evacuate the area. An unsung hero, he said, was another officer who had recently moved to Second Avenue who quickly provided critical information to others on how to contact residents living in the buildings.
"What would have happened had he not been able to do that and help, no one knows," Drake said.
Asked questions about a report that Anthony Quinn Warner, who authorities have identified as the bomber, had been building bombs in his RV in 2019, Drake said the hazardous devices unit followed through by conducting "surveillance." It is not immediately clear if that went beyond the checking on Warner's residence the chief discussed last week. Drake said officers never spoke with Warner, learning later that he was known to leave for weeks on end to go camping. The girlfriend, who made the report when officers responded to a call about suicide threats, was taken for a psychological evaluation.
"So you had a person that made a complaint that you couldn't talk to anymore, and an individual that you couldn't talk to," Drake said.
The department's special investigations divisions contacted the FBI, which took a look and said nothing more could be done, Drake said on Monday. But instead of giving up, he said, the department got in touch with an attorney and asked to look around Warner's residence and RV but was denied — a claim the attorney has denied to media outlets.
"You have an individual who is anti-police, anti-government, who wouldn't have granted permission. You have an attorney who's not granted permission. The only thing we have at that point is to violate his civil rights," Drake said, calling it a "bad spot" to be in.
He said the FBI has informed him that the woman who made the report last year later went on to "get back in some type of relationship" with Warner. No more calls were made after that.
"Really no more to go on. They've done surveillance and everything else."
The department is working on an after-action report to review the steps taken since the call was made and to identify if there were any gaps or what the department could have done differently.
Bomber mailed packages to friends in days before blast
The man police say was responsible for the Christmas morning explosion in downtown Nashville mailed packages before the bombing containing material about his views on bizarre beliefs, according to the FBI.
Federal law enforcement said Saturday the FBI was investigating the mailed materials.
"We're aware the suspect sent materials which espoused his viewpoints to several acquaintances throughout the country," FBI Special Agent Jason Pack said in a statement to the Tennessean.
Anyone who may have received a package or material from Anthony Quinn Warner are encouraged to contact the FBI at 800-CALL-FBI.
Pack did not release additional details on what the packages contained.
Police said Warner, 63, parked an RV with explosives Christmas morning on Second Avenue near an AT&T telecommunications hub. The bomb exploded about 6:30 a.m. Dec. 25 and caused massive destruction to more than 40 buildings in downtown Nashville and paralyzed mobile and internet systems in five states.
Investigators have not released details about a possible motive in the bombing.
Reward money still in limbo
No one has yet to receive $32,000 in reward money gathered by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. that was created in an effort to arrest and convict the person responsible for the bombing.
The corporation's CEO and president, Butch Spyridon, said they are waiting for more information from the FBI before making a decision.
"We have already started reaching out to victims, and any money not used for (the) reward will be given to the victims," Spyridon said.
City, nonprofits to host food and essentials drive-thru for residents
Metro Nashville organizations and multiple nonprofits are teaming up Wednesday to host a drive-thru featuring food, essentials and emotional support for residents impacted by the Christmas Day bombing.
The drive-thru will be held at the Community Resource Center (CRC) at 218 Omohundro Place from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
CRC collected donations after the explosion to create essentials kits including cleaning supplies, diapers and wipes for kids.
Food boxes will be provided by Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The Salvation Army has organized gift cards for food needs, transportation and health care.
Organizers also plan to connect survivors to long-term support as needed.
The event is hosted by Metro Nashville, the Nashville Emergency Operations Center and Nashville Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters.
All residents and employees of businesses affected by the blast are welcome to attend.
FROM SATURDAY:Nashville charities host essentials drive-thru for Christmas Day bombing victims
Ten buildings deemed unsafe for use or occupancy
Metro Nashville Codes inspectors released the addresses of 10 Second Avenue buildings deemed unsafe for use or occupancy on Friday.
Seven of those buildings are closed off, meaning no entry is allowed, the department said:
- 134 2nd Ave N
- 160 2nd Ave N
- 166 2nd Ave N
- 170 2nd Ave N
- 176 2nd Ave N
- 178 2nd Ave N
- 184 2nd Ave N
Three other buildings have been deemed unsafe because of the threat of falling glass, but entry is allowed:
- 131 2nd Ave N
- 144 2nd Ave N
- 177 1st Ave N
Metro Nashville Codes inspectors completed structural assessments of more than 40 buildings in the blast area on Thursday. At least two of the surveyed buildings will need to be demolished because of irreparable structural damage.
Metro police still have areas of 1st and 2nd avenues closed for safety issues, spokesperson Don Aaron confirmed Saturday morning.
As the debris clean up continues, MNPD may roll back the perimeter in stages, Aaron said in an email. The stretch of 2nd Avenue North between Commerce and Church streets will likely be the last to reopen, he said.
"Public Works has done a tremendous job in debris clean up," he said.
Aftermath:Cat lost in after Nashville bombing reunited with owner
Catholic Charities receives $2 million grant to aid victims
Catholic Charities said Friday it received a $2 million federal grant to help Nashville bombing victims with rent and utility assistance, food, counseling and other services.
The funds were provided by the federal Victims of Crime Act, and assistance is available to those who worked or resided in the area between James Robertson Parkway, 4th Avenue North, Broadway, and the Cumberland River. Qualifying individuals can apply online at NashvilleStrong2021.org.
The program will provide rent and utility payment assistance for residents who lost wages or were displaced from their homes. It also will have prepared meals and kitchen staples for those without food and help replace of technology used for work or school. The program also offers counseling for victims.
"We know from our work with the 2010 floods that the psychological impact will last years for some people," said Catholic Charities Executive Director Judy K. Orr. "Traumatic events can leave significant emotional scars if people don't seek help."
'It's like war': Residents, business owners get first look at damage in Nashville bombing
Two buildings destroyed, several more unsafe
At least two buildings will need to be demolished due to damage from the Nashville bombing on Christmas morning, Metro Nashville officials reported Thursday.
Inspectors completed structural assessments Thursday of the more than 40 buildings damaged in the blast.
Seven are not safe for occupancy and three more are currently unsafe because of falling glass. Officials have not yet released addresses for damaged buildings, many of which line Nashville's historic Second Avenue.
At least 1,200 employees, 45 businesses and 400 residents from Fourth Avenue to the riverfront and from Union Street to Broadway were affected in the bombing, according to the Nashville Fire Department.
Prior to Thursday, the extent of the damage was largely unknown because the crime scene was previously locked down by federal authorities, who released the sprawling crime scene to Metro police Wednesday.
The scene is now in the hands of the Metro Nashville Police Department and will be overseen by officers for the foreseeable future, the department said. A curfew for the area will remain in place through Jan. 7.
The department added an extra 140 officers to downtown assignments on New Year's Eve, mostly for mask enforcement, MNPD spokesman Don Aaron said.