Bomb Blast at University of Oklahoma (Breaking on Fox) - suicide bomber at OU

Fox News/NewsOK.com ^ | oct. 1, 2005

[blogblogginaway]

From Staff Reports
NORMAN -- An explosion near the University of Oklahoma's Gaylord Family-Memorial Stadium killed one person Saturday, OU officials said.

The explosion happened at the courtyard near the George Lynn Cross Hall, Botany-Microbiology Building on OU's campus, which is west of the stadium, according to Sgt. Gary Robinson of the University police department.

The explosion happened during the second quarter of Oklahoma's game against Kansas State.

After the explosion, police set up a perimeter of several blocks and made fans exit the stadium to the east.

[backhoe]

By the way, I just finished a snapshot in time for you on here:

Thanks- I'll take a look at it after I get the wife-unit of the family out of my hair ( I'm hungry! )...

[Cindy]

Smiling...these links can wait...nothing really new yet.

[Fred Nerks]

thanks for the ping, I read up to 1300+ will catch up tomorrow.

[Treeless Branch]

Interestingly, the Univ of Arkansas has a Muslim studies program literally sponsored by Saudia Arbaia. The UofA is just a few hours from Norman. The UofA had a bye week this week.

[stlnative]

I wonder if the bomb went off prematurely before the bomber could get into the stadium.

[stocksthatgoup]

Is using a bomb for suicide a bit of "Overkill"?

[An.American.Expatriate]

From the OU Website:

Boren Says No Second Device

Statement
OU President David L. Boren
October 2, 2005
Boren Says No Second Device
There was initial information that there was a second device. President Boren has been notified that further investigation has confirmed there was no second device. The second detonation was the bomb squad making sure that there was not a second device.

and ... Statement by OU President David L. Boren who is following the situation:

We are apparently dealing with an individual suicide which is under full investigation. At no time was anyone in the stadium in danger. Law enforcement officers and bomb experts on site were activated in the area immediately. As soon as the area was secured and the area was sealed, President Boren ordered a thorough search of the garage area near the stadium by the trained bomb dog team. Further search of the lower levels outside the stadium and a thorough sweep was ordered by President Boren. Prior to the game, the entire stadium was swept by the expert bomb teams with the help of dogs. Passouts were suspended during the halftime for security reasons in order to enhance safety for the fans. A second device which was found during the initial search has been detonated. President Boren who is convalescing has been in continuous phone contact with law enforcement personnel throughout this period.

[LibertyRocks]

This is not good... The police just blowing stuff up to make sure there is no "second device"? It just doesn't make sense to me and conflicts with ALL earlier reports even from the authorities. I wonder which dept. is saying what at this point...

[pageonetoo]

...Prior to the game, the entire stadium was swept by the expert bomb teams with the help of dogs. Passouts were suspended during the halftime for security reasons in order to enhance safety for the fans. A second device which was found during the initial search has been detonated.

hmmmmmm. Searching for bombs before game. Device found and exploded by ???(ATF, FBI,Campus cops?). Another explosion around halftime, but nobody allowed outside. Confusion, and obfuscation. Hmmm....Oklahoma...hmmmm... apparent suicidee... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

I have read little about this on msm... even the WashTimes didn't headline it.

[Smokin' Joe]

A second device, not a second device...The stories do not flange up. Why set off a second device found previously there and then? If it were moved at all, it would have been removed and cordoned off before detonation, before the game, you would think.

When we get the name of the "victim" I'm betting it isn't Welsh...

[dmw]

Here is a link from OK news from this morning. There is a little (not much) more information here than what has been reported since the incident last night.
http://newsok.com/article/1631436/?template=home/main

[LibertyRocks]

Well, if they're trying to change the story now(?) it looks like it didn't get put out in time. Most major news outlets are running the AP story with the following paragraph:

"A police bomb squad detonated explosives found at the site of the blast. The area near the stadium was searched by bomb-sniffing dogs."

I guess we'll see what's in print as this is on the web, but papers like the Chicago Tribune and such go to press pretty early especially before the weekend, IIRC. I know I'm the first to bash careless reporting by the MSM but I'm more inclined to think the guy from OSU was urged to change his story for some reason... Should I go look for my tin-foil hat? (o;

[An.American.Expatriate]

To clarify - I believe the second report is badly written!!

The "bomb search" before the dame, I will assume, is SOP (if it's not it should be . . .)

The "initial search" refers to the search of the area *after* the "half time" blast.

Here they clearly state a second device was found and exploded, yet later they claim the second device was nothing more than a *suspicious package* . . .

it does indeed sound "strange".....

[LibertyRocks]

Even the AP paragraph I put in my last post is poorly written regarding the dogs searching the stadium. They write it like they searched after the initial detonation. Still, I don't see how even with today's standards they would mis-report something like more explosives being FOUND at the scene, ya know? Perhaps someone with more experience regarding the usual procedures of police dept's could give better insight on this. With all the threats of "dirty bombs" and such I wouldn't think they would just go around exploding suspicious packages especially in light of the number of people in the near vicinity.

[An.American.Expatriate]

Should I go look for my tin-foil hat? (o;

coincidence??

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[meyer]

Cell phones only work were there are cell phone towers, all you have to do is shut down nearer cell towers, and I'm sure the TelCos can do that remotely. Cell phones only "talk" to the towers, not directly to each other.

The problem with shutting down cell phone service is that the cell phone is a vital communications link for doctors, safety forces, utilities, and others. It serves as backup in many cases, and is primary communications for anybody that is on the road.

[LibertyRocks]

Another interesting coincidence??? The suicide bombings in Bali were carried out at 8pm their time. Correct me please if I am wrong, but didn't this suicide take place around 8pm Oklahoma time?

Latest report from the BBC on the bombings in Bali:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4301630.stm

I hate to be one to go off on coincidences, but it's interesting to contemplate at this point - maybe I just need some sleep? (o:

[LibertyRocks]

Forgot to add my $.02 cents about the FBI page. Looks like we won't be hearing anything from them about this, huh (at least not online)?

[dmw]

KFOR News in OKC just reported, and showed from the helicopter, the second device being blown-up. According to this report there indeed was a second device nearby.

[LibertyRocks]

That makes the second statement from OSU pretty darn interesting for sure.