— from Sheriff Ron Krebs —
There is understandable and significant concern throughout the islands following the discovery on Monday of an improvised explosive device (IED) on the San Juan County Land Bank Turtleback Mountain Preserve property on Orcas Island.
The ongoing investigation is being led by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF), with the support of the office of San Juan County Sheriff Ron Krebs.
While some details of the incident and investigation will not be made public at this time, there are key messages that need to be shared with the community:
- This was a confirmed explosive device with the potential to easily kill or injure someone.
- The device was made from commercial grade explosives not readily available to the general public.
- It is not known exactly how long the device was in place or what the likelihood is of other devices. There is no known motive at this time, nor are there any suspects.
As a result of the potentially severe impact of this device, and the uncertainty surrounding who placed it, the Orcas Island community is urged to keep the following in mind:
- Please be aware, alert, and vigilant when walking the trails on island public lands.Look forward, and look for materials that look unnatural or out of place. Keep kids and pets close at hand. Please report anything suspicious to911immediately.DO NOT TOUCH or MOVE anything that looks suspicious.
- Please report to the Sheriff’s Office information about anyone who has access to or possession of illegally held commercial grade explosives.Sheriff’s Anonymous Tip Line is 360-370-7629. Likewise, if you know of anyone who has taken an interest in explosives, or seems like they could be connected to this incident, please report it immediately.
- Please report any instances of loud explosions, either currently or in the past, or sites in the woods or elsewhere that appear to be the location of an explosion or detonation. Again,Sheriff’s Anonymous Tip Line is 360-370-7629.
Sheriff Ron Krebs would like to highlight that the investigation of this disturbing incident will benefit from the attention and knowledge of the entire island community. If you think you have an important piece of information, please share it immediately.
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Thank you Sheriff Krebs for your measured and responsible update.
The possibilities here are many including a lone drifter with issues who visited the island for a day or two.
As is understood throughout much of the world, common sense is always a reliable defense.
Without panic or paranoia, we residents should practice what I like to call “presence of mind.“
Because we’re wise, we practice prevention; that means this is one of those “all hands on deck“ moments. We don’t wait for tragedy to happen before we awaken to a shared responsibility—so I would suggest that we all participate in deliberate mindfulness as we go about our daily routines so as not to conjure up unnecessary thoughts— fear.
Instead, we make ourselves mentally available as called for by Sheriff Krebs in a matter of fact way and go about living.
Was the device placed with the intent of being triggered inadvertently by someone walking the trails? I don’t want to make that assumption, but that seems to be what the article implies.
Nothing has been said about the method of detonation: Trip wire? Pressure-actuated device? Photocell?
It would be helpful to know what to watch for, and how to avoid it.
We would be grateful for more specific information.
I have no idea what an IED might look like.
Was it on a trail? In a tree?
I can only hope if the person is caught that consequences would be the maximum punishment allowed.
Lucky us to live among so many beautiful parks and trails. It’s time for us to get out and use them, now, Turtleback too.
Islanders act.
…and also to talk about it. We should not be afraid – we should be aware. Someone knows who did this…This is no time for “the code of silence”…is there ever? See ya on the trail!