A 69-year-old supporter of President Donald Trump contacted authorities and identified her grandson as the suspect who threw a bomb at the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse in Portland last week.
The video: Footage posted to social media on Tuesday shows a protester launching what appears to be an explosive at the courthouse.
Antifa just threw what appears to be an IED at the federal courthouse. pic.twitter.com/fX1UMvsFUw
— Brittany (@Brittany3l) July 28, 2020
Busted: Karla Fox told the New York Post she recognized the alleged bomber as her grandson, Gabriel Agard-Berryhill, after seeing his distinctive green vest, which was highlighted by various users on social media.
You can see the guy throwing explosives here. https://t.co/rWumqQLQoF
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) July 28, 2020
- “I bought the vest for him after he found one online after getting hit with rubber bullets the night before at the protest,” Fox told the Post.
- Agard-Berryhill appeared to confess to involvement in the incident in text messages to the Post.
- "The device I’ve been accused of allegedly throwing was allegedly given to me by an unknown protestor with full face coverings," he said. "I was allegedly told that it was a strobe firework that wouldn’t damage the building or harm anyone around it."
The aftermath: According to authorities, security camera footage captured Agard-Berryhill throwing an "incendiary device" into the courthouse on July 28.
- The teen has been charged with felony arson.
- "No legitimate protest message is advanced by throwing a large explosive device against a government building. Mr. Agard-Berryhill’s actions could have gravely injured law enforcement officers positioned near the courthouse, other protesters standing nearby, or himself," U.S. Attorney Billy Williams said in a statement on Friday.
- Agard-Berryhill has been released without bail; he faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
