UPDATE, July 2 10:14 p.m.: police have released images of a person and vehicle of interest.
Police are looking for someone who set off explosive devices at three different locations in the District early Sunday morning. All were detonated wthin a timespan of about 15 minutes, including one on H Street NE.
One of the suspects and the suspects’ vehicle, described as a gold/champagne color Acura TL with Maryland plate 17971CK, were captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in the photos below.
Polce say at around 4:30 a.m. July 2, the suspect detonated an explosive device on the sidewalk outside of the ATM at the Truist Bank (2300 block of Washington Pl. NE) then fled the scene in a vehicle. The explosive device caused damage to the location.
About five minutes later, the suspect was on H Street NE. There, they detonated an explosive device on the sidewalk in front of the doors at the Nike Store (700 block of H St. NE) then fled the scene in a vehicle. The device damaged the metal door and the lights above the entry and broke the glass panels in the door. Those were quickly replaced Sunday.
Ten minutes after that, at around 4:45 a.m., the suspect threw a Molotov cocktail style object at the Safeway store located in the 300 block of 40th St. NE then fled the scene in a vehicle. The building there was also damaged.
The store manager at the Nike Store on H Street NE answered the phone Sunday. He said he had no comment other than to note that the store was closed July 2. On a Sunday, it would usually be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division are looking to identify the suspect. But although a press release was issued Sunday afternoon, no look out or images have yet been issued.
In each of these offenses, they say it appears the suspect targeted commercial establishments and it does not appear the suspect was targeting any members of the public. The businesses were all closed at the time, and there were no reported injuries. DC Fire inspectors also responded to the scene to assist.
Anyone who may have any information about these incidents, including video or photos from near these locations, are encouraged to call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or anonymously text your tip to the Department’s Text Tip Line at 50411.
The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these offenses. In partnership with MPD, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Division, are offering an additional $10,000 bringing the total possible reward amount in this case up to $20,000.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information is received.
