– Oklahoma man accused of throwing explosive at Satanic Temple in Salem
– Man from Oklahoma indicted for throwing bomb at Satanic Temple in Salem.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A 49-year-old man from Perkins, Oklahoma, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly throwing a pipe bomb at The Satanic Temple in Salem. The man, identified as Sean Patrick Palmer, was arrested and charged on April 17, more than a week after the incident took place on April 8. According to a statement from acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levy’s office, Palmer has been indicted on one count of using fire and an explosive to damage and attempt to damage a building used in interstate or foreign commerce.
Palmer made an initial appearance in federal court in the Western District of Oklahoma on April 18, where he was ordered to be held. He is expected to be brought back to Massachusetts to face the charges, although a specific date for his appearance in federal court in Boston has not been disclosed.
Details of the Incident
The incident took place at around 4:14 a.m. on April 8, when a man dressed in all black and wearing a tan-colored tactical vest and gloves approached The Satanic Temple in Salem and threw a pipe bomb at the main entrance. The bomb, identified as an improvised explosive device (IED), partially exploded, causing a minor fire and damages to the exterior of the temple, which also serves as an art gallery.
The pipe bomb was constructed from a section of plastic pipe covered in metal nails, attached with tape. The inside of the pipe contained a powder-like substance identified as smokeless gunpowder. A single human hair, with the DNA profile of a white Caucasian male, was found on the pipe bomb, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Investigation and Suspect Identification
Investigators discovered a six-page handwritten note in a flower bed near the bomb, addressed to “Dear Satanist.” The note mentioned a previous “peaceful message” delivered to the temple seven months prior to the incident. Surveillance footage identified a black Volvo sedan registered to Palmer driving erratically near the temple before and after the bombing. Additionally, a photograph of Palmer wearing a tan-colored tactical vest similar to the one worn by the suspect in the footage was found on social media.
Charging documents revealed that Palmer purchased PVC pipe from a home improvement retailer in Oklahoma on April 3, matching the material used in constructing the bomb. If convicted, Palmer could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
About The Satanic Temple
The Satanic Temple in Salem, which opened in 2016, serves as the official headquarters for the organization. The temple’s mission is to promote benevolence, empathy, and the rejection of tyrannical authority. Members of the temple do not view Satan as an evil figure but as one who challenged authority. They advocate for the separation of church and state and have been known for their advocacy efforts, including attempting to place their one-ton goat-headed idol statue next to public monuments.
The Satanic Temple has expressed gratitude to the Salem community for their support following the bombing incident. The group continues to uphold its principles and mission despite the challenges it has faced.
This article contains information from previous reports by MassLive.
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Oklahoma man accused throwing bomb Satanic Temple Salem indicted.
