NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) – The number of conspiracy theories surrounding the Christmas morning attack in downtown Nashville continues to grow.
Former federal prosecutor Alex Little said it only makes things more difficult for investigators working to resolve the case.
“I think you should be concerned about imitation cats, especially in this environment,” said Little. “At the moment, we are living in an era of conspiracy theories, where people can believe in all kinds of things.”
He said investigators need to release as much information as they can safely and as quickly as possible.
“This extremely disturbing event destroyed two blocks from downtown Nashville and they need to be able to tell the public as much as they can to reduce any speculation,” said Little.
At a Saturday afternoon press conference, investigators said they were tracking hundreds of tips.
They did not discuss reports of a person of interest – although state and federal authorities were searching a house in Antioquia at the same time as the press conference.
Little believes that if someone left the trailer after he entered Second Avenue early Christmas morning – the cameras would probably have captured it.
But so far, no photo has been released of a person leaving the RV before it exploded.
“Actually, there are only two reasons for that. One, they didn’t get out of the van and died in the explosion, probably, or two, the police already have a good idea of who it is and they don’t want to warn the person that they are under investigation, “said Little.
Little, who is now a partner at the law firm Burr & Forman, said the attack clearly shows a lot of planning, but he pointed out other important attacks that were carried out by fanatics who were more determined than sophisticated.
“The Oklahoma City bombing was a massive attack that killed almost 200 people and was done by two not very well educated people, and it took a long time and they were very determined,” said Little.
Little said that if the bomber stayed inside the trailer in a suicide attack, investigators are likely to find some kind of manifesto or reason for the attack.
The main question remains – why would anyone do that?