Father apologizes for son's actions (OU bombing, includes timeline)

The Daily Oklahoman ^ | October 9, 2005 | Nolan Clay and Ty McMahan

[MizSterious]

OU explosion timeline

Explosives carried onto OU campus

A homemade bomb exploded on the University of Oklahoma campus Oct. 1 during a football game, killing one student. The explosion touched off an intense FBI investigation and left Oklahomans wondering whether it was an individual suicide or if it was intended to be an act of terrorism targeting football fans. Oct. 1

7:30 P.M.

A bomb explodes on a bench just west of George Lynn Cross Hall, the University of Oklahoma's botany-microbiology building, during the second quarter of the OU-Kansas State University football game.

ABOUT 9:05 P.M.

Police detonate a suspicious object found near the first explosion. Investigators later determine it was not an explosive.

University officials prohibit fans from leaving the stadium at halftime. As the football game continues, exit areas are swept for explosive devices. None are found. With about six minutes left in the game, an announcement is made over the public address system warning fans to stay away from the south oval and areas just west of the stadium.

FBI agents start interviewing acquaintances and neighbors of Joel "Joe" Henry Hinrichs III, a 21-year-old OU engineering major who they have tentatively identified as the student killed in the explosion. Some of those interviewed are international students, fueling speculation that the explosion might be part of a failed terrorist attack.

OU President David Boren, who is briefed by law enforcement officials, issues a statement calling the explosion an "individual suicide." He later clarifies the statement to say it was an "individual death," since the state medical examiner has not ruled on the manner of death.

Oct. 2

FBI agents and other law enforcement officials search Hinrichs' residence in the university-owned Parkview Apartments, removing a cache of explosive material and other items.

Boren describes Hinrichs as a student who had "very serious personal problems."

The FBI releases a statement indicating its investigation is in its early stages, but the agency has "no information that suggests that there is any additional threat posed by others related to this incident."

Boren announces classes will go on Monday as scheduled.

Oct. 3

Hinrichs' father tells The Oklahoman his son was a bright, lonely child who had trouble forming relationships and suffered from depression at times. The father also reveals that, as a youth, his son had a fascination with explosives.

Oct. 4

The FBI releases a statement indicating it found "no known link between Hinrichs and any terrorist or extremist organizations or activities."

Boren announces at a news conference that OU will heighten security measures at future games.

Oct. 5

The Oklahoman confirms Hinrichs failed in an attempt to buy ammonium nitrate fertilizer from a Norman feed store the week before the explosion. Hinrichs' demeanor raised suspicions with an off-duty Norman police officer who happened to be in the store. The officer jotted down Hinrichs' car tag number and did a preliminary background check, but the explosion happened before the officer was able to file an intelligence report.

Oct. 6

Boren issues a statement to students, faculty and staff cautioning against any rush to judgment based on race, religion, gender, or ethnicity. He reiterates that law enforcement officials have so far found no evidence of a conspiracy.

Oct. 7

Officials tell The Oklahoman the FBI has completed its review of stadium surveillance tapes and found no evidence Hinrichs tried to enter.

Source

[MizSterious]

Ping to some more propaganda--I don't think this has been posted yet. I did a search and didn't find it.

[Hodar]

I feel sorry for the parents. They had an emotionally distrubed son; who committed suicide. If that alone weren't bad enough, he did it in a manner that got world-wide recognition; and added humiliation to the grief his parents have to suffer.

I have to give credit where it is due; his father sounds like an honorable man. He has swallowed his grief, long enough to explain the situation to the public. Not many in his situation would have the backbone he has shown.

Again, I hope and pray these parents can forgive what their son has done.

[VirginiaMom]

And the spin just spins along.

[MizSterious]

His father seems an odd fellow--some of the first words out of his mouth in an earlier interview were, "It wasn't a political act!" Seems really strange, and something I've never heard from a grieving father talking about a child's suicide before.

[robertpaulsen]

I thought I heard that he tried, twice, to enter the stadium. Was this incorrect?

Odd way to commit suicide, in any event.

[hispanarepublicana]

This story is about to go the way of the LAX shooting, I'm afraid.

[jdm]

"The younger Hinrichs built a bomb out of match heads in an empty tube at age 13 or 14, his father said."

The father is admitting his son was building bombs at the young age of 13 or 14 -- why didn't the father step in and do something about it WAY back then (circa 1997)?

[counterpunch]

I thought this was going to be an interview with George Herbert Walker Bush about Harriet Miers, David Souter, and Supreme Court nominations.

[MizSterious]

Eyewitnesses (I think some were ticket-takers) said he did. He wasn't caught on camera trying to enter--but then again, he wasn't caught on camera blowing himself up, either. Depending on the angle of the cameras, etc., they might have missed him.

Also note that they've beefed up security at not only college games, but highschool games too--and odd thing to do if this is just a "suicide."

[MizSterious]

That part is in code. ;)

[MizSterious]

It's outrageous, but that's sure how they're trying to steer this story.

[null and void]

Good question. At least I had the sense to avoid telling my parents!

[motormouth]

I totally agree with you!



MM

[teenyelliott]

"He was really quiet, didn't really interact with any of the other students," said Garrett Jones,

Hey, ding ding ding!! What do I win??? Look at this post :

Posted by teenyelliott to I'm ALL Right!

On News/Activism 10/05/2005 8:49:19 PM CDT · 165 of 1,428

Well, I'm sure he was just a real quiet kid who always kept to himself. No one ever imagined he'd do anything like this. (insert video of fat, toothless neighbor here)

[Chode]

at least McVeys Father didn't make excuses and try to cover up for him... i really respected him for that as much as i don't this loser.

[Polybius]

His father seems an odd fellow--some of the first words out of his mouth in an earlier interview were, "It wasn't a political act!" Seems really strange, and something I've never heard from a grieving father talking about a child's suicide before.

Could a reason for the comment possibly be that 90% of America was automatically assuming that it was a politically motivated attempted suicide bombing?

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

[MizSterious]

This was rather early on, before we knew about the Paki roomies and the Islamic connections. Before we knew, but apparently, not before his father knew, because he went into spin mode right away.

[RasterMaster]

"He said he wanted to specifically apologize to the Muslim students who were shackled and questioned during the investigation"

How about a BARF ALERT?

[Texas Songwriter]

The FBI tells as:

1. Hinrich tried to obtain ammonium nitrate to commit a private act of suicide.He had to settle for a different kind of explosive, but his intentions were to only kill himself.

2.More than 250 eyewitnesses did not see a missil rising from ground to air to meet up and blow flight 800 out of the sky killing hundreds.

3.There was no 3rd Terrorist involved at the Murrah Building bombing , despite many sources who saw him.

Ron Brown, though a perfect 45 caliber hole found in his skull was only a serendipidous finding.

Fact is I do think I can believe the FBI in these matters. They ask us to believe the unbelievable.