Plano Star-courier > News
Search uncovers bomb-making materials: Suspect appears in federal court for hearing
By Bill Conrad, bconrad@starlocalnews.com
A search of the home of the Plano man suspected of attempting to blow up a gas regulator turned up materials used to make improvised explosives devices, Federal court documents filed last week show. A heavily bandaged Anson Chi made a court appearance Tuesday afternoon at a federal courthouse in Dallas.
Chi, 33, was critically injured in the June 17 explosion in the 3600 block of Parker Road. Chi initially told police he was hit by a vehicle while jogging, but a blood trail led officers to a gas regulator, which was damaged and leaking. A heavily bandage Chi made a court appearance Tuesday afternoon at a federal courthouse in Dallas.Further investigation revealed an explosion had caused the leak, which was quickly shut off by crews from Atmos Energy.
Shortly after the explosion, Chi was taken to Medical Center Plano in critical condition. Once he was positively identified, Plano PD detectives and FBI agents went to the house Chi lived at with his mother and father in the 3200 block of Anchor Drive. After obtaining verbal consent to search the premises, officers found a number of items in Chi's bedroom which led them to believe he was responsible for creating the explosive device which detonated near the regulator.
Among the items discovered were several types of acid, green canon fuses and jars containing unidentified clear liquids. Officers also discovered laboratory and safety equipment, items which "constitute explosive device parts and chemicals, the combination of which are intended for use in converting a readily assembled explosive device," the court documents stated.
Investigators also discovered manuals and books dealing with "technological slavery and domestic terrorism" in Chi's bedroom.
The investigation into the explosion is ongoing and being conducted by the North Texas Joint Terrorism Taskforce under direction of the FBI.
Chi, 33, was critically injured in the June 17 explosion in the 3600 block of Parker Road. Chi initially told police he was hit by a vehicle while jogging, but a blood trail led officers to a gas regulator, which was damaged and leaking. A heavily bandage Chi made a court appearance Tuesday afternoon at a federal courthouse in Dallas.Further investigation revealed an explosion had caused the leak, which was quickly shut off by crews from Atmos Energy.
Shortly after the explosion, Chi was taken to Medical Center Plano in critical condition. Once he was positively identified, Plano PD detectives and FBI agents went to the house Chi lived at with his mother and father in the 3200 block of Anchor Drive. After obtaining verbal consent to search the premises, officers found a number of items in Chi's bedroom which led them to believe he was responsible for creating the explosive device which detonated near the regulator.
Among the items discovered were several types of acid, green canon fuses and jars containing unidentified clear liquids. Officers also discovered laboratory and safety equipment, items which "constitute explosive device parts and chemicals, the combination of which are intended for use in converting a readily assembled explosive device," the court documents stated.
Investigators also discovered manuals and books dealing with "technological slavery and domestic terrorism" in Chi's bedroom.
The investigation into the explosion is ongoing and being conducted by the North Texas Joint Terrorism Taskforce under direction of the FBI.
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