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Police say Christmas Day explosion in Nashville believed to be intentional

Photo: Mark Humphrey/AP

Authorities in Nashville said they believe an explosion in the city's downtown on Friday morning was an "intentional act" that originated from a vehicle, the Tennesseean reports.

What's new: At a press briefing Friday afternoon, Nashville police said they responded to a shots fired call near the explosion area. When authorities arrived, they found an RV with a "recording" saying a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes. They then began evacuating people.

  • A Nashville police spokesperson said it was unclear whether there was a person in the RV and also denied reports that a body had been found.
  • Flights out of the Nashville International Airport have been halted due to telecommunication issues believed to be connected to the explosion, per AP.
  • Authorities said they don't believe there are any other imminent threats, but they are conducting sweeps with canine units in the downtown area "as a precaution."

What's happening: Nashville Fire spokesman Joseph Pleasant said at least three people have been hospitalized with injuries because of the blast, per CNN. Metro Nashville Police are investigating the explosion, along with the FBI and the ATF.

  • President Trump has been briefed on the explosion and will continue to receive regular updates, said White House spokesperson Judd Deere.

This story has been updated with the suspension of flights out of Nashville. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Go deeper

Axios
Updated Dec 28, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Authorities name Anthony Warner as Nashville bomber, say he died in blast

Law enforcement officers investigate the house of Anthony Quinn Warner. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Authorities said on Sunday that they believe Anthony Quinn Warner was responsible for the Christmas Day explosion that rocked downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and that the 63-year-old died in the blast.

What's new: Four days before the explosion, Warner told a neighbor that “Nashville and the world is never going to forget me," per AP. The neighbor told the news agency that nothing about Warner raised any red flags. “He was just quiet," the neighbor said.

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Ina Fried, author of Login
1 hour ago - Technology

Scoop: Google is investigating the actions of another top AI ethicist

Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Photo by Mateusz Wlodarczyk/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Google is investigating recent actions by Margaret Mitchell, who helps lead the company's ethical AI team, Axios has confirmed.

Why it matters: The probe follows the forced exit of Timnit Gebru, a prominent researcher also on the AI ethics team at Google whose ouster ignited a firestorm among Google employees.

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Hans Nichols, author of Sneak Peek
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Joe Biden's COVID-19 bubble

Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The incoming administration is planning extraordinary steps to protect its most prized commodity, Joe Biden, including requiring daily employee COVID tests and N95 masks at all times, according to new guidance sent to some incoming employees Tuesday.

Why it matters: The president-elect is 78 years old and therefore a high risk for the virus and its worst effects, despite having received the vaccine. While President Trump's team was nonchalant about COVID protocols — leading to several super-spreader episodes — the new rules will apply to all White House aides in "high proximity to principals."

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