Local officials have released statements in response to Tuesday's explosion outside a building that houses the Colorado Springs chapter of the NAACP, as well as a business.
A joint statement distributed by the Colorado Springs Police Department comes from local law enforcement agencies and Colorado Springs NAACP President Henry Allen, Jr.:
The following statement is made on behalf of El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder, Fountain Police Chief Todd Evans, President Henry Allen Jr. of the Colorado Springs NAACP, and Colorado Springs Police Chief Peter Carey:
Tuesday morning, January 6, 2015, an improvised explosive device detonated against the exterior wall of the building housing the Colorado Springs NAACP and Mr. G’s Hair Design Studio. The investigation into this criminal act is a high priority and is being conducted as a joint effort with local and federal law enforcement resources. Community safety is of utmost concern and we are united in our response to this incident.
Members of the public are our best resource to help solve this crime. If you have any information on the person of interest: a Caucasian male; approximately 40 years of age and balding; driving a 2000 or older model dirty, white pick-up truck with paneling, a dark colored bed liner, open tailgate and a missing or covered license plate; please contact the FBI Denver tip line at (303) 435-7787.
Regardless of if this act is determined to be a biased motivated crime, the law enforcement community in El Paso County does not condone this or any act of violence. We stand with the business owners at Mr. G’s Hair Design Studio and the NAACP denouncing any violence or aggression brought against our community.
Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach released the following statement:
I am saddened by the act of violence that happened near the NAACP building and Mr. G’s Hair Design Studio. Fortunately there were no injuries or significant damage. Nonetheless, this type of criminal act is unacceptable. I expect that law enforcement will work together to solve this crime and bring the responsible individual to justice. There is no place for this type of activity in our city.
The FBI is looking for a person of interest in an explosion outside the local chapter of the NAACP in Colorado Springs.
The device exploded Tuesday morning outside the building that houses the offices of the civil rights organization and one other business. A gasoline can was placed next to the device, but did not explode. There were no injuries, and minor damage to the building.
Amy Sanders with the FBI says they’re investigating.
"Potential hate crime or domestic terrorism are possibilities among multiple potential motives for this crime," says Sanders.
Authorities say they’re looking to speak with someone described as a white man around 40 years old in relation to the incident. They’re asking anyone with information to call the FBI Denver tip line: 303-435-7787
