The explosion at a West, Texas plant this past month which caused 14 deaths now has a criminal investigation finally being launched by law enforcement officials.
According to the Huffington Post, federal agents found bomb-making materials that belonged to a paramedic who helped evacuate residents the night of the explosion.
The paramedic named Bryce Reed was arrested and charged with possessing a destructive device, even though it’s not linked to the explosion.
The County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement:
“It is important to emphasize that at this point, no evidence has been uncovered to indicate any connection to the events surrounding the fire and subsequent explosion … and the arrest of Bryce Reed by the ATF.”
DPS Director Steven McCraw talked about the impact of the explosion on the community:
“This disaster has severely impacted the community of West, and we want to ensure that no stone goes unturned and that all the facts related to this incident are uncovered.”
Authorities believe that the residents deserve a full investigation that looks at the explosion and the cause from every angle possible.
Meanwhile, Reed is now in federal custody after a criminal complaint unsealed Friday afternoon after McLennan County deputies were called earlier this week to a home in Abbott, a town about five miles from West, and found bomb-making materials – including a galvanized metal pipe, canisters filled with fuses, a lighter, a digital scale and a variety of chemical powders.
Yikes! Thankfully this guys has been taken into custody.
We pray for the victims of the explosion and hope that justice is served!
