Santa Cruz firebombs look familiar

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 8/4/8 | Wyatt Buchananand Demian Bulwa

[SmithL]

Santa Cruz -- The devices used in two firebombings targeting UC Santa Cruz biologists are similar to some used in the past by animal rights activists, investigators said Sunday.

The bombs were so powerful they were like "Molotov cocktails on steroids," said Santa Cruz police Capt. Steve Clark.

One struck the home of assistant biology Professor David Feldheim on Saturday morning, forcing him to flee with his family. The other exploded just a few minutes earlier, gutting a car parked outside the campus home of a second researcher.

Later, Santa Cruz County sheriff's deputies went to the home of a third researcher who received a threatening telephone message, but officers found no explosives.

More than 50 investigators, including some from the FBI's regional terrorism task force, are looking into the attacks.

Feldheim, whose townhouse was firebombed just after 5:30 a.m., uses mice in laboratory research on brain formation.

He told The Chronicle that he and his wife, along with their 7-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, had to drop a ladder from the window of a second-floor bedroom to escape after smoke filled the home's first floor.

"Everyone is OK," Feldheim said in an e-mail. "The kids are taking it pretty well. My wife and I are very shaken up. I also injured both feet in the escape."

Act of terrorism

Feldheim was treated at a hospital and released, police said. Clark said the attack on Feldheim is being considered an act of terrorism and attempted murder.

Clark said the bomb at Feldheim's house was similar to those used by animal rights extremists in the past, adding, "There are instructions on how to make it on their Web sites."

[SmithL]

Follow-up to yesterdays Firebombs target UC researchers

[popdonnelly]

Arsonists are dangerous and should get the max. This is an area our U.S. Attorneys, if they were doing their job, should look into.

[Abathar]

Empty offices, laboratories, vehicles, that is one thing.

Targeting a man’s home when his wife and children are inside with a firebomb? Mandatory life in prison should be the verdict on whoever does this, and if they are injured or killed then the death penalty should apply.

[null and void]

Agreed.

Besides, right now California is drier than a popcorn fart.

Even in the city, with an unexpected wind this could have burned for miles.

[Mark was here]

This is not like the nut who snapped and shot up a church last week. This is cold and calculated. This is from the DU side of the fence, but way past their pasture.

[jazusamo]

In CA it used to be first degree arson for torching a dwelling, people were in the dwelling so the prosecution will go for attempted homicide. When these turkeys are nailed they’re going to do a lot of time.

[Doctor Raoul]

November 2, 2005, the peace nazis firebombed the Chron building as the marched during a protest tantrum.

They missed a window so their people were spared. Yet the Chron won’t tell you that the WCW sponsors are really the Revolutionary Communist party.

[TexasCajun]

When these turkeys are nailed they’re going to do a lot of time.

Don't be so sure with a jury pool of San Francisco & Berkeley terrorist-friendly activist.

[wgflyer]

I suppose that, inevitably, liberals must come to blows with themselves because they embrace such a wide range of diametrically opposed extremist groups, all united in a fragile coalition of hatred for those of us who refuse to patronize them. As liberals consolidate their power over (self-) vanquished Republicans, things will get very hot as the various groups enter a nasty game of “king of the hill”.