Two Men Charged with Terrorism, WMD Offenses After Failed FOX 13 Vehicle Bombing

Salt Lake City, Utah – Two men have been arrested and are facing multiple felony charges, including threat of terrorism and possessing weapons of mass destruction, after a real explosive device was discovered under a FOX 13 news vehicle. Adeeb Nasir, 58, and Adil Justice Ahmed Nasir, 31, were taken into custody following an investigation into the incident that occurred on Friday, September 12. The device, found parked next to an occupied building, had been lit but "failed to function as designed," according to an affidavit cited by KSL.

The Salt Lake City Police Department Bomb Squad and the Unified Fire Authority Arson/Bomb Squad initially responded to the scene, determining the device was a legitimate explosive. Due to the significant threat to public safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) subsequently took over the investigation. Authorities stated that the nature and placement of the device posed a "significant risk of mass casualties."

Investigators traced the suspects to a residence in Magna, Utah, where a search warrant was executed. During the search, officers discovered two "hoax weapons of mass destruction," firearms, bomb-making equipment, and illegal narcotics, leading to the evacuation of neighboring homes. Court documents indicate that Adeeb Nasir had a protective order against him, restricting his ability to possess firearms, and both men were prohibited from owning firearms due to illegal narcotic use.

Adeeb Nasir and Adil Justice Ahmed Nasir were booked into Salt Lake County Jail on Sunday, September 14, and are being held without bail. FOX 13 Station Manager Leona Wood confirmed the station is "working closely with law-enforcement and our risk management team, with the safety of our employees as our top priority." The motive behind the attempted bombing remains unclear, with law enforcement declining to comment on potential reasons.