Speculation should be kept to a minimum at this rate… but such news is certainly alarming. From the Virginian-Pilot:
At about 5 p.m. Williamsburg police received a call about a vehicle fire at South Boundary and Francis streets, said department spokesman Major Greg Riley.
Investigators – including officials with the FBI, Newport News Police Department, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia State Police and Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – later determined there had been an explosion caused by an IED in the parking lot there.
The IED is being described as located “in a highly-trafficked area during a peak time” by law enforcement officials.
This news comes just days after pipe bombs were found at the re-enactment of the Battle of Cedar Creek in Frederick County, Virginia.
Williamsburg is the home of several noted tourist attractions, including the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Busch Gardens. The College of William and Mary, Camp Peary, and the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station are also nearby.
No one was reported as injured.
DEVELOPING…
UPDATE: Virginia State Police made an arrest last night of one Stephen Powers, 30, of Gloucester County according to the Virginian-Pilot:
BREAKING: Gloucester man arrested, charged with terrorism in connection to Williamsburg parking lot explosion https://t.co/mqasj44SRM
— The Virginian-Pilot (@virginianpilot) October 21, 2017
Law enforcement has made it abundantly clear to the public that they believe this to be an isolated incident.
No other details are available at the moment.
