A man allegedly threw a firebomb toward an Atlanta immigration enforcement office before fleeing an officer, but a perimeter fence stopped the device from reaching the facility, the Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday.
The department’s statement added details about the October 20 incident as the FBI sought help identifying the suspect and offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his identification and arrest.
The bottle, which DHS described as an improvised incendiary device, caught on top of the fence outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations field office. An Atlanta police officer nearby saw the incident and chased the suspect on foot, according to the release.
The FBI identified the location as 180 Ted Turner Drive in downtown Atlanta. Its public notice placed the attempted arson at approximately 8:14 p.m.; DHS gave an approximate time of 9 p.m. The agencies’ accounts did not explain the difference.
“This latest attack is part of a dangerous and unacceptable escalation of violence against the men and women of ICE who are simply enforcing the laws of the United States,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in the DHS release.
“Anyone who targets federal law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Mullin said.
The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and Atlanta police are investigating, DHS said. The FBI’s notice continued to identify the man as an unknown suspect.
Provided by Dallas Express
