Man who planted bomb at NC airport 'wanted to fight a war on U.S. soil,' FBI says
Michael Estes, image via Buncombe County Sheriff's Office
(FOX NEWS) - A North Carolina man who police say planted a bomb at Asheville Regional Airport told investigators he was preparing to “fight a war on U.S. soil,” according to an FBI criminal complaint filed this week.
Michael Christopher Estes, 46, is accused of planting an improvised explosive device that contained ammonium nitrate - a highly flammable chemical compound - nails, oil and shotgun cartridges just outside the North Carolina airport, police said. The homemade bomb, left on a curb outside the airport’s baggage area, was taped to a ticking alarm clock that was set to go off at 6 a.m., the criminal complaint said.
The bomb was found at 7 a.m. on Oct. 6 and prompted authorities to immediately shut down the airport. The airport reopened about two hours later, according to Fox Carolina.
Near the airport, police found a backpack and tool bag containing shotgun shells, gloves and a roll of Gorilla tape similar to what was used in the IED.