Crime & Courts

Do you know who set off a bomb in Irmo last year? Federal agents offer $5,000 reward.

A member of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives examines the outside of Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal church, late Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Greeleyville, S.C. The African-American church, which was burned down by the Ku Klux Klan in 1995, caught fire late Tuesday night.
A member of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives examines the outside of Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal church, late Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Greeleyville, S.C. The African-American church, which was burned down by the Ku Klux Klan in 1995, caught fire late Tuesday night. AP

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives asked for the public’s help Friday in finding who set off a bomb in Irmo last year.

The ATF offered a $5,000 reward for “for information leading to the location, arrest, and conviction of the person(s) responsible for building and detonating an explosive device in an Irmo neighborhood.”

The incident happened on Aug. 2, 2021. People called police to report an explosion at the intersection of Cressfell and Chapelwhite roads, which is in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

Irmo Police Department and the fire department responded to the explosion. Richland County deputies, state agents and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents also showed up to the scene.

Investigators found multiple explosive devices in the immediate area, the ATF said.

The ATF hasn’t identified the bomber, but a light colored vehicle was seen nearby at the time of the explosion. The ATF is asking for information on the vehicle.

The ATF is looking for information of this vehicle which was seen near the sight of an explosion in Irmo.
The ATF is looking for information of this vehicle which was seen near the sight of an explosion in Irmo. ATF

“Anyone with information about this case should contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477). Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, or through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips. Tips may also be submitted to Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC. All tips will remain anonymous,” the ATF said.

The ATF field office that investigates in South Carolina is based in Charlotte.

David Travis Bland
The State
David Travis Bland is The State’s editorial editor. In his prior position as a reporter, he was named the 2020 South Carolina Journalist of the Year by the SC Press Association. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2010. Support my work with a digital subscription
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