Former federal prosecutor discusses next steps in bombing investigation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The number of conspiracy theories surrounding the Christmas morning bombing in downtown Nashville continues to grow.

Former federal prosecutor Alex Little said that only makes things more difficult for investigators who are working to solve the case.

“I do think you have to be concerned about copy cats particularly in this environment,” Little said. “Right now we are living in an age of conspiracy theories where people can believe all sorts of things.”

He said investigators need to release as much information as they safely can and as quickly as possible.

“This extremely disturbing event destroyed two blocks of downtown Nashville and they need to be able to tell the public as much as they can to ramp down any speculation,” Little said.

At Saturday afternoon’s news conference investigators said they are tracking down hundreds of tips.

They would not discuss reports of a person of interest — even though state and federal authorities were searching a home in Antioch at the same time the news conference was happening.

Little believes if someone got out of the RV after it drove onto Second Avenue early Christmas morning – then cameras would likely have caught it.

But so far, no pictures have been released of a person leaving the RV before it exploded.

“There are really only two reasons for that. One, they didn’t get out of the van and they died in the blast, most likely, or two, police already have a good idea who it is and they don’t want to tip the person off that they’re under investigation,” Little said.

Little, who is now a partner with the law firm Burr & Forman, said the attack clearly shows a lot of planning, but he pointed to other major attacks that were pulled off by zealots who were more determined than sophisticated.

“The Oklahoma City Bombing was a massive attack that killed almost 200 people and was done by two folks not very well educated, and it took a lot of time and they were very determined,” Little said.

Little said if the bomber stayed inside the RV in a suicide attack, it’s likely investigators will find some sort of manifesto or reason for the bombing.

The major question remains – why would someone do this?