It has been three days since an explosive device was detonated in a Colonial Williamsburg parking lot a few feet from restaurants and shops, and one block from the Williams & Mary campus. It was the beginning of a busy homecoming weekend at the college, and fortunately, no one was hurt by the explosion. The police have arrested a local man, Stephen Powers, and charged him with an act of terrorism.
I have read numerous reports of the incident, and none have gone beyond repeating the statements of official spokespersons. The Washington Post writes that no motive has been determined for the action of this man apparently acting alone.
The city said Stephen Powers, 30, of Gloucester, Va. was arrested at his home by the Williamsburg police department and charged with possession of using an explosive device and committing an act of terrorism.
No motive could be learned in the incident.
No explanation has been given for how the police — with help from the FBI and the ATF — so quickly made an arrest. No explanation has been given for why Powers chose this location. No explanation has been given for why Powers is being charged with terrorism beyond the fact that he exploded a bomb in the heart of a tourist destination.
Where are the reporters? Has no one attempted to speak with neighbors or acquaintances of the accused bomber? Was he married or single? What have the police found in the home of the alleged terrorist? Did he have any political affiliations? Did he serve in the military? Was he connected to any right wing organizations or individuals?
My hunch is that he is yet another angry,white man with possible mental problems, not unlike a certain occupant of the White House, who has inspired a growing number of these cases. But I guess we’re getting used to these things now. As the headline of an article in the Daily Press said:
'A typical Saturday': Homecoming revelers enjoy weather, put IED explosion behind them
Monday, Oct 23, 2017 · 8:10:13 PM +00:00 · nycamsterdam
This is looking like a very sad story — still with a lot of details missing. The Williamsburg Yorktown Daily reports that Powers was recently laid off from his job as a maintenance man with Colonial Williamsburg.
Records filed in Williamsburg-James City County General District Court indicate Powers had worked in the maintenance department at Colonial Williamsburg for over two years. Records also stated he was married with a 1-year-old child and his job with Colonial Williamsburg was his only “financial resources.”
Monday, Oct 23, 2017 · 11:40:04 PM +00:00
·
nycamsterdam
It gets stranger and stranger. Powers was in contact with the police a couple of times before the IED incident, but it is not clear how the police made such a quick arrest after the explosion. Powers is quoted as citing an obscure passage in the bible and saying that only those who served overseas in Iraq with him would know the meaning. Apparently, however, he did not serve in Iraq and was previously a civilian dental technician working in the military.
The WY Daily provides more details.