Salt Lake City authorities reportedly said Sunday that two men have been arrested after an explosive device was discovered beneath a vehicle belonging to Fox 13 News, an attack that investigators warned could have caused “mass casualties.”
The device, which had been lit but “failed to function as designed,” was placed beneath the news vehicle as it sat parked beside an occupied building, according to officials. The placement, they noted, carried the potential for catastrophic loss of life.
Police identified the suspects as Adeeb Nasir, 58, and his son, Adil Justice Ahmed Nasir, 31. Both men were arrested over the weekend and are being held without bail. Court filings cited by CBS News indicate they could face an array of charges, including attempted aggravated arson, terrorism-related offenses, and possession of weapons of mass destruction.
According to the arrest report, agents searching a property linked to the men found firearms, narcotics, and what were initially believed to be two hoax weapons of mass destruction. Investigators later confirmed those devices were “real.” Authorities also emphasized that both suspects were legally barred from owning weapons due to prior drug use.
The FBI is leading the investigation, underscoring the seriousness of the case.
In a statement, FOX 13 Station Manager Leona Wood emphasized the network’s cooperation with law enforcement. “FOX 13 News is working closely with law enforcement and our risk management team, with the safety of our employees as our top priority,” she said.
The incident has rattled Salt Lake City and comes amid heightened concerns over political violence. The attempted bombing unfolded just days after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University, roughly 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. The proximity in timing and geography has fueled broader concerns about escalating threats in the state.
For conservatives, the episode has reinforced long-running warnings about the dangers of unchecked extremism and the selective outrage that often follows such acts of violence.
While national media outlets have frequently spotlighted threats directed at liberal institutions or public figures, attacks on conservative organizations, voices, or even media outlets have drawn comparatively muted coverage.
Officials were blunt about the potential devastation.
The placement of the device beneath a vehicle parked near an occupied building could easily have caused far greater harm than just to the targeted news station. As investigators described it, the bomb’s failure to function as designed was a matter of fortune, not foresight.
The arrests also highlight gaps in enforcement against individuals already barred from possessing firearms.
Both men were legally prohibited from owning weapons, yet authorities found a cache of firearms and explosives in their possession.
For many, the discovery will raise new questions about the effectiveness of existing restrictions when determined individuals decide to ignore the law.
As the FBI continues its probe, the public is left with a sobering reminder: the attack on Fox 13 was not only a direct assault on a media outlet, but also an attempt that risked the lives of innocent bystanders.
For a nation grappling with rising tensions, it represents yet another warning of how quickly rhetoric can descend into violence.
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