Federal law enforcement agents have made an arrest in the investigation of the bombing of a Colorado NAACP office earlier this year. Thaddeus Murphy, 44, from Colorado Springs was arrested by law enforcement this past Thursday.
The bombing occurred in early January and caused an increase in racial tension as many considered the incident an act of domestic terrorism. According to law enforcement, Murphy made the pipe bomb out of a shotgun shell and fireworks fuses, and placed it next to a gasoline can. The bomb went off but did not ignite the gas, causing minimal damage to the building. Murphy allegedly has confessed to the crime but claims his target was actually a tax preparer’s office. According to Murphy, he was having a financial crisis and he blamed the accountant at the office for withholding documents. However, this seems a convenient alibi since the accountant’s office has been closed for 20 years even though the sign is still on the building.
By saying he targeted the tax office and not the NAACP, Murphy may avoid being charged with a hate crime and domestic terrorism.Murphy has been charged with arson of a building and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
