The FBI is investigating whether the suspect at the center of the Nashville bombing on Christmas Day was paranoid about 5G conspiracy theories, according to reports.
Steve Fridrich, a Nashville-based real estate agent, contacted the FBI to say that he had previously worked with a man named Tony Warner. Investigators believe a man named Anthony Quinn Warner is a person of interest in the explosion of the van outside an AT&T building that injured three people on the morning of December 25.
Speaking for WSMV, Fridrich He said agents asked if the man he worked with had paranoia about 5G technology and conspiracy theories about it being used to spy on Americans.
Fridrich said the man he worked with in information technology was a “nice guy”, but they had no relationship other than him contacting Warner to work on internet issues.
“You know, he was a technical guy – I don’t want to say anything negative about it. He would do this thing and leave. He didn’t bother anyone. He did his job and left,” Fridrich said.
The FBI said it could not comment because of the pending investigation. The agency was contacted by Newsweek for an update on the investigation.
Earlier this year, conspiracy theories about 5G implementation, including that the technology somehow helps to spread or is even the cause of coronaviruses, were widely shared and believed by some.
The unfounded theories have resulted in people attacking 5G cell phone antennas in the UK, as incorrect information has spread on social media.
“The history of 5G is complete and absolute rubbish, it is absurd, it is the worst type of false news”, NHS Stephen, England’s national medical director Powis previously said in a statement.
Investigators are still trying to establish the reason for the explosion, with the explosion likely being the result of a suicide bombing. Human remains were found in the trailer after the explosion in downtown Nashville around 6:30 am
Two senior law enforcement officers previously confirmed to Newsweek that the investigators will do a DNA test with Warner’s mother to determine if his remains were found.
“Assuming this is the bomber’s mother, the FBI labs are in 48-72 hours for confirmation,” said one of the main police sources Newsweek.
Investigators are also investigating whether the father of the suspect’s previous job in BellSouth, a telecommunications company that merged with AT&T in 2006, had something to do with the bombing.
“In an investigation of this magnitude, it would be logical to see if there is a link between the father’s adverse action at work and the location where the attack took place,” said a police source.
The explosion also affected cell phone service and other communication devices in the area.
In a statement on Saturday, AT&T said, “Our teams continue to work nonstop in recovery efforts from yesterday morning’s explosion in Nashville.
“We have two portable cell sites operating in downtown Nashville, with several additional portable sites being deployed in and around the Nashville area.”
Terry Wyatt / Getty