Thread by @FreedomFriesInc

(1) The Christmas Day 2020 Nashville bombing.

I've been providing citizen journalist coverage of emergency events for more than 4 years so I'll be doing the same for this one. From a keyboard like everyone else.

So far all I see is speculation. Here are some points to note:

(2) Do not donate via gofundme or similar websites.

Fraud is common, especially when it's a high profile event like a bombing.

Local PD, FD etc usually have a charity already running.

Or see @NationalVOAD for verified orgs.

(3) "Always put on your own oxygen mask first."

Use each event as a reminder to get your own household in order. Ready.gov has a page of prevention / recovery tips for every disaster type, including:

ready.gov/explosions

(4) In October 2018 I reported on an Allentown, PA car bomb that looked like it could be domestic terrorism.

I kept an open mind; 5 days later it turned out to be an entirely personal matter. An extremely tragic murder-suicide involving a young child:

https://twitter.com/FreedomFriesInc/status/1046586613629763585

(5) I'm in no way saying I believe the Nashville explosion was non-political, or political of a particular viewpoint. I simply do not have enough verifiable info yet.

Just reminding y'all to keep an open mind. Facts will emerge. Some will make pol claims anyway: eg Las Vegas.

(6) The 10/1/17 Las Vegas mass shooting that took 60* innocent lives is still debated over & always will be. I've been clear that I accept the theory the murderer's motive was personal, not political.

*Total doesn't include the perp. Does include 2 later victims:

(7) Reading a range of media tweets about this aspect of the investigation is instructive. This one from a Breitbart reporter is good. It's not anon-sourced like the others. It couches the info in the right ways.

The debris field is huge; This find could be related, or not.

(8) It's just after 8pm CT & I'm reviewing videos of the press briefings etc. Still not a lot of specific info available.

The material that could be human remains could be from a member of the public or someone who was inside the RV, possibly already deceased. However,

(9) I doubt that if someone was inside the RV that there'd be much left of them. Sometimes a perp suicides before the explosion. A kidnap victim is another possibility.

The 3 injured civilians had reportedly returned to the area thinking the threat had passed. Never do that.

(10) With the chaos of a large explosion like this, it's possible one or more civilians was fatally injured and rescue personnel could only establish that 3 were injured.

Police had evacuated the area. Those who got injured should have waited for the all clear first.

(11) I'm not saying this to judge them. I'm saying what first responders always say: Follow instructions. Even when you're huddled outdoors early on Christmas Day. Your actions don't just affect you.

The first responders in this, esp. local PD, are heroes. It's what they do.

(12) I want to say a special thank you to the thousands of people who've had to ditch their own Christmas Day celebrations to respond after this explosion. Law enforcement, healthcare workers, public safety workers, AT&T personnel, the American Red Cross & Salvation Army.

(13) While we wait for info about the case, please consider donating to the Red Cross or Salvation Army because these orgs are always there with the necessities of life for survivors of emergencies, & hot drinks & food for responders. Your donations are used to replenish stocks.

(14) Please give blood in your local area, if you can. If you can't, spread the word abt this critical need. Covid restrictions & anxiety abt exposure have led blood donation levels to plummet, everywhere.

The services' websites have info about the precautions they're taking.

(15) We have to pull together no matter what happens. Many people are distressed about the challenges we're facing this year (and next.)

Distress can lead to suicide, and homicide.

The US has a free 24/7/365 @distressline that I first heard about while covering hurricanes.

(16) CBS reports that 63yo Anthony Quinn Warner is a person of interest... his Nashville area address is connected to the RV.

Now, remember this doesn't mean he is or was a suspect. No evidence yet that he drove the RV to the street, or whether that person was in the RV or not.

(17) I've said from the start that I have an open mind on this case. If the motive is found to be at least partially political, then the side that finds itself lucky enough to be the opponent of the person(s) causing the explosion, will shout that from the rooftops. Either way.

(18) Regular readers will know I often comment on mental illness, criminal justice, & public safety.

"Both sides" have a small fringe of mentally ill people at risk of committing violence. The increasing political polarization doesn't help in crime prevention & reduction.

(19) Of course, it's impossible to resolve the polarization while our institutions continue to destroy the public confidence that we're entitled to hold in them.

It's one thing for media to be biased. It's another thing if law enforcement agencies can't be trusted to obey laws.

(20) I've been reading and studying info about the explosion for most of the day. I will write about it soon, and probably start a new thread.

I link threads together so it's easier to keep track of them. One time I wrote 5 threads about a case. It depends what mood I'm in.

(21) I will try to keep it concise. Feeling frustrated by all the BS I'm seeing out there concerning this incident & everything else in the world right now.

Occam's and Hanlon's Razors tell me a disturbed & desperate individual likely blew up the RV.

Patience, grasshoppers.