(DCWatchdog.com) – HAPPENING NOW: Three businesses in Washington, DC, were hit by explosions on Sunday morning, one of which was caused by a Molotov cocktail, as the police are still searching for suspects.
The explosions occurred between 4:30 and 4:45 am in northeast DC. The Washington Times reports that they damaged a Truist bank, a Nike store, and a Safeway grocery store, citing the Metropolitan Police Department.
The police issued a public appeal for assistance in identifying several suspects and their vehicle. However, they did not describe the alleged criminals or the car used in the bombing attacks.
The first explosive device was detonated at about 4:30 am in the 2300 block of Washington Place NE. It blew up an ATM of the Truist Bank facing the sidewalk.
The same suspects are also believed to have detonated the second explosive device. The second blast occurred minutes later in the 700 block of H Street NE, outside a Nike store.
Around 4:45 am, the same suspects struck a Safeway in the 300 block of 40th Street NE, but this time they did it with an object which seemed like a Molotov cocktail, a self-made incendiary mix.
According to the police, the suspects sped off in their car after tossing the explosive device.
The three explosions caused damage to the targeted businesses, such as broken windows. However, they did not injure any people as all three places were closed during the attacks.
The Criminal Investigations Division of the Metropolitan Police and the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have jointly offered a reward of $20,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the bombing suspects.
The police statements made it clear the investigators believed the bombers were deliberately targeting certain businesses instead of going after specific individuals.
According to the latest police figures made public in May, violent crime in Washington, DC, has increased by 10% this year compared to 2022.
At the same time, homicide cases have increased by 15% compared with the initial months of last year.
Three D.C. businesses hit by explosive devices, Molotov cocktails in early morning spreehttps://t.co/Wh4aoyoEyl pic.twitter.com/91vTCSB1tu
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) July 2, 2023
