TX - Fertilizer plant explodes in West, Texas

[momtective]

This is the first I've heard about the fire starting in the grain area. Originally from a rural area, I do know that grain & hay can be combustible. Why was grain stored at a fertilizer plant?

I asked Peachy for a rewind in the scanner thread and this is how the 911 call went.

Report of heavy smoke coming from the top of one of the mills at the West Fertilizer Plant

Dispatcher relayed info to fire department (and said there was a fire out there again) BBM

No mention of the name Reed at all.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

I've been wondering about Bryce Reed (haven't we all?). He's one weird, suspicious dude who's in a big jam, but I just don't think he had anything to do with the explosion. How do you guys feel?

If I had to "vote" today, I'd say he's a troubled soul, did some weird things of which I don't understand, but I don't believe at this point that he did anything that caused the explosion.

Waiting to hear/read more.

 

[mysteriew]

Wasn't a PC scheduled for today? What time?

 

[MrsWilco]

Wasn't a PC scheduled for today? What time?

Reed has a detention and arraignment hearing before a federal magistrate today. The press conference to announce investigation results is tomorrow:

WEST, TX -Results of the joint investigation of the fire scene at the West Fertilizer Plant in West, Texas will be announced on May 16, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at a news conference in the West High School parking lot. Media will be allowed into the school parking lot beginning at 2:30 p.m. and will be given direction where to set up upon arrival. You may remain in the parking lot until 6:00 p.m. when we will secure the area for the evening.
WHO: Chris Connealy, State Fire Marshal
Robert Champion, ATF, Special Agent in Charge
Kelly Kistner, Assistant State Fire Marshal
Brian Hoback, ATF, National Response Team Supervisor

WHAT: News conference

WHEN: May 16, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: West High School, 1008 Jerry Mashek Dr., West, Texas 76691

 

[mysteriew]

LOL thanks MrsW I got my days mixed up.

 

[mister happy]

Reed's detention hearing postponed indefinitely

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/west_e...cle_526d71ea-c415-5f15-aff4-19950e95affe.html

 

[MrsWilco]

From KWTX:

WACO (May 14, 2013)—A federal court appearance Wednesday for former West EMS volunteer Bryce Ashley Reed, 31, who admitted to possessing components to make a pipe bomb, was canceled after Reed deferred his right to a detention hearing to a later date, U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Daryl Fields said.

Reed waived arraignment and will enter a not guilty plea, Fields said.

He remained in the McLennan County Jail Wednesday afternoon.

 

[MsFacetious]

Is this always something you would be charged FEDERALLY for?
When they find a pipe bomb on someone, is that ONLY a federal charge?
Or is it on a case by case basis?

 

[marycarney]

I think anything having to do with a bomb is federal - ATF and all that.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

I think anything having to do with a bomb is federal - ATF and all that.

Yes, if the complaint and charges were brought forth by the ATF (a federal agency), it must be tried in federal court.
P.S. And I'm a fan of both of the judges in that courthouse

 

[MsFacetious]

Okay, just wanted to make sure that him being charged federally didn't mean anything else. :seeya:

 

[Starry Night]

I hope tomorrow's news conference clears up any questions about Mr. Reed. He has been through heck and back and so has that whole town. I guess I am 'pulling' for him in the hopes he is NOT responsible for the event. And I really admire his lawyer who has been very supportive and vocal for him. Keeping my fingers crossed. As it is-I leave work at 4 o'clock and I hope I don't get a speeding ticket driving home to get the news lol.

 

[Starry Night]

West EMS fired Reed two days after the explosion. News 8 has learned he was let go because he was acting as a media liaison after the incident, and continued to do so after being told to stop.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news...ssessing-bomb-making-materials-207576611.html

 

[Starry Night]

Defense attorney Jonathan Sibley planned on asking the court to release 31-year-old Bryce Reed on bond Wednesday.



http://www.kvue.com/news/Paramedic-at-deadly-blast-in-court-in-weapons-case-207520611.html

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

West EMS fired Reed two days after the explosion. News 8 has learned he was let go because he was acting as a media liaison after the incident, and continued to do so after being told to stop.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news...ssessing-bomb-making-materials-207576611.html

Thank you for posting that, I hadn't heard what their reasoning was until this statement.

 

[mysteriew]

Defense attorney Jonathan Sibley planned on asking the court to release 31-year-old Bryce Reed on bond Wednesday.



http://www.kvue.com/news/Paramedic-at-deadly-blast-in-court-in-weapons-case-207520611.html

Are the feds reducing the charges on him? Wasn't he originally charged with possession of explosives? Now this article mentions that he was charged for that. But they are saying that he is currently charged with possession of an unregistered firearm. Yet they also say the charges remain the same.

Also delaying the detention hearing. The defense attorney is implying it is beneficial to the defense to delay it, and it came after discussion with the prosecution.

What the heck is going on?

 

[Starry Night]

Are the feds reducing the charges on him? Wasn't he originally charged with possession of explosives? Now this article mentions that he was charged for that. But they are saying that he is currently charged with possession of an unregistered firearm. Yet they also say the charges remain the same.

Also delaying the detention hearing. The defense attorney is implying it is beneficial to the defense to delay it, and it came after discussion with the prosecution.

What the heck is going on?

I am wondering about the actual charge from the grand jury-that of unregistered firearm. That is very different from the original charge-yet he still remains under no bond.

 

[MsFacetious]

I still wonder if they aren't preparing more charges... "no bond" is a pretty big deal for a pipe bomb. :twocents:
I mean, you can get $250k bond in Texas for torching a little boy! So what did HE do. :scared:

 

[TGIRecovered]

If I were him I wouldn't want to be out, even if he did nothing to cause the blast. Too many people who lost their loved ones who might assume he did cause it and take revenge. He is better off right where he is for the time being!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

"Ex-West EMT moved to undisclosed Location"

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/west_e...cle_526d71ea-c415-5f15-aff4-19950e95affe.html



Well, that's kinda interesting. Two intial thoughts (of which could be right or wrong, just sayin'): 1) Federal detention psych ward or 2) there IS a second jail facility in the area - so maybe it's just semantics when they say he's been moved from the McLennan County Jail.

Hmmmm. But that his atty says they "found some middle ground" and agreed to move him, makes me kinda think it's psych related. JMO and MOO


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Looking forward to today's release of the report.

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And 4 weeks to the night (a Wednesday), prayers need to go out to Granbury, TX, a little north of West - 6 confirmed dead in the horrible storm, and I think I heard 14 missing as of the 6am news. I'm concerned about my former horse trainers that live in Cleburne - there are normally about 50-60 horses on that property, and Cleburne (right next to Granbury) got hit so hard. Ugh.