The Federal Bureau of Investigations and other authorities are continuing to investigate a bombing Christmas morning in downtown Nashville that caused major damages.
Nashville media outlets reported Metro Police officers responded to 2nd Avenue North in downtown for a shots fire called around 5:30. While on the scene investigating, officers reportedly heard a recording coming from a parked RV around 6:00 warning people in the area to evacuate. The six officers immediately started to evacuate residents as the recording from the RV continued until the vehicle exploded at 6:30. The explosion was reportedly felt by residents 40 miles away from downtown Nashville. Media reports indicate three people were injured during the explosion and are in stable condition in Nashville hospitals.
Metro Nashville Police told media during a news conference that the explosion was intentional and that the FBI had taken over the lead in the investigation. They are being assisted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Nashville Metro Police.
Authorities released a photo taken from a surveillance video on 2nd Avenue showing the RV driving into the area around 1:30 Christmas morning. At this time, no other information has been released about the RV or if there was a video capturing the driver getting out of the vehicle.
At this time, no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing and the motive is unknown.
During a news conference with media Friday night, the mayor of Nashville said about 40 buildings were damaged from the blast.
The RV reportedly exploded in front of the AT&T Technology Center, which has caused widespread disruptions of cell service and internet service, along with affecting 911 emergency services in Tennessee and across Kentucky.
A Civil Emergency has been declared until 4:30 Sunday afternoon, meaning no traffic is allowed within the downtown area in close proximity to where the explosion occurred.
