Tennessee Man Arrested with 14 Explosive Devices at Home
Law enforcement in Tennessee discovered 14 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during the arrest of a man accused of threatening public officials. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies and detectives sought to apprehend Kevin Wade O’Neal on active warrants related to these threats.
On March 15, 2024, officers arrived at O’Neal’s residence in search of him. According to the sheriff’s office, O’Neal had allegedly threatened to kill various public officials and law enforcement personnel in the area. As officers made the arrest, they noticed smoke emanating from a bedroom, leading them to identify the source as an IED.
A subsequent search by bomb squad officers and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) revealed the presence of 14 IEDs within the home. Detectives indicated that O’Neal’s intention was to detonate these devices as law enforcement entered to arrest him.
O’Neal, 54, faces multiple charges, including 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder and 14 counts of possession of prohibited weapons. The attempted murder charges specifically relate to the officers responding to the scene and two other individuals present at the time of the arrest.
Currently, O’Neal is being held at Polk County Jail, with bond details yet to be established. It remains unclear whether he has secured legal representation.
The discovery of these explosives has raised significant concerns regarding public safety and the potential for violence. The sheriff’s office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this case.
