A vehicle carrying explosives crashed through the front entrance of the Multnomah Athletic Club in downtown Portland, Oregon, early Saturday, causing significant damage and leaving the driver dead.
Portland Fire and Rescue said firefighters responded to a report of a vehicle driving into the club a little before 3 a.m. local time. The vehicle caught fire after the crash; once the blaze was under control, law enforcement found the deceased driver inside. A club spokesperson said no employees or members were injured.
The driver has not been officially identified, though sources told The Oregonian the person was a former club employee.
Portland police said investigators located several incendiary and improvised explosive devices during a search of the vehicle and building, some of which had partially detonated. Propane tanks were also found. Robots were used to recover and detonate some of the remaining devices. “Some of those devices had already gone off, and so there was significant damage to the area,” Portland Police Sgt. Jim Defrain said.
Employees reported seeing the suspect vehicle slowly circling the building before the crash. “Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe the driver intentionally entered the building with the intent to deploy explosive devices,” police said. Portland Police Chief Bob Day said the incident is believed to be isolated and “not related to domestic terrorism.”
The athletic club said the facility will remain closed for an extended period and is cooperating fully with the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting with the investigation.