FBI offers reward in NAACP Colorado Springs, Co. bombing investigation

Story by MSNBC - http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/fbi-offers-reward-naacp-bombing-investigation
Written by Nisha Chittal

Link to MSNBC 1/7/15 story by Cassandra Vinograd: http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/fbi-seeks-pickup-driver-after-explosion-near-naacp-colorado-springs
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On Friday, the FBI announced it will offer a $10,000 reward for anyone who has information to help them in the investigation of a bombing incident near the NAACP offices in Colorado Springs, Co.

On Tuesday last week, an explosive was detonated outside of the building that houses the local NAACP chapter in Colorado Springs. According to the FBI, the explosive was detonated near a gas can that did not ignite, thereby minimizing the potential damage that could have been done. The blast left singe marks on the NAACP building and the building of a hair salon next door. No one was injured.

The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been investigating the incident along with local authorities. In a Friday press conference, the FBI announced a $10,000 reward for anyone who had information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. In a press release, the FBI released a sketch of the suspect, described as “a white male, approximately 40 years of age, and balding or having shortly cropped hair.” They identified his vehicle as a white pick-up truck, mid-2000 model, with “possible paneling or railing, a dark colored bed liner, an open or missing tailgate, and a missing or covered license plate.” Anyone with information regarding the suspect was encouraged to call the FBI Denver tip line.

It remains unclear whether the attack was deliberately targeted at the NAACP. Henry Allen, president of the Colorado Springs chapter, told msnbc: “I don’t want to say right now whether our organization was targeted or whether myself or the other business was targeted. I just don’t want to speculate. This is too important of an investigation. I don’t want to give anyone the opportunity to capitalize on this unfortunate situation if some things may not be true.”

After the attack, Twitter users began discussing the story using the hashtag #NAACPbombing, which quickly went viral on Twitter around the United States. To date, the hashtag has been mentioned over 268,000 times and was a nationwide trending topic on Twitter on Tuesday and Wednesday. Congressman John Lewis, a veteran of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, said on Twitter: “I am deeply troubled by the bombing in Colorado. It reminds me of another period.”