Authorities are trying to interview people who knew the suspect.
Authorities are exploring evidence that Anthony Quinn Warner’s suspected attack in Nashville, Tennessee, was interested in several conspiracy theories, sources familiar with the investigation told ABC News.
Theories include those involving “lizard people” – a belief that shape-shifting reptilian creatures appear in human form and are committed to taking over the world.
Warner, 63, of Antioch, Tennessee, must also have spent time hunting alien life forms in a nearby state park, the sources said.
Some writings found by investigators believed to be associated with Warner, who was killed in the explosion of a trailer on Christmas Day, contain ramblings about various conspiracy theories, the sources said.
Several police sources also told ABC News earlier this week that investigators analyzed whether Warner was paranoid about 5G cell technology.
It is not clear whether any of these beliefs or behaviors are linked to the explosion, which damaged dozens of buildings on Second Avenue in downtown Nashville and sent three people to the hospital with minor injuries. The RV was parked in front of an AT&T transmission building, which was also damaged.
Warner was identified on Sunday after investigators compared the tissue found in the explosion with DNA from gloves and a hat inside a suspect’s car, an official said.
Researchers continue to analyze the chemical residues at the site and are working to identify the chemicals that were probably used to make the explosive device.
They are also investigating how the suspect acquired the bomb’s manufacturing materials to ensure that there were no accomplices.
Sources told ABC News that receipts and credit card account information indicate that Warner allegedly purchased items that could be used to build a bomb, although they warned that certain common chemicals have uses that may have nothing to do with it. with bomb making. Authorities are reviewing Warner’s recent purchases to determine whether these items were allegedly used on the device or had any other purpose, the sources said.
The FBI and the US Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are leading the investigation. As of Tuesday afternoon, his response teams had investigated nearly half the crime scene and hoped to complete it no later than Friday, the FBI said in a statement.
FBI and ATF agents and behavioral analysts also continue to interview people who knew the suspect “to try to understand why this happened,” said the FBI.
Anyone who has met the suspect and has not yet spoken to the investigators should call 800-CALL-FBI.
Before the explosion, a mysterious recording counted down to detonation and Petula Clark’s song “Downtown” played in the trailer. On Tuesday, Clark expressed his “shock and disbelief” at the explosion – and the use of his music that led to it.
“Of all the thousands of songs – why is that?” she wrote in a post on Facebook.
“Of course, the opening letter is ‘When you are alone and life is leaving you lonely, you can always go to the Center.’ But millions of people around the world were thrilled with this happy song, “she wrote.” Perhaps you can read something else in those words – depending on your mood. It’s possible.”
Aaron Katersky and Joshua Hoyos of ABC News contributed to this report.