ATF vows nonstop probe into Monroe car blast that injures 3
Santiago Esparza and Steve Pardo/ The Detroit News
Monroe— Federal authorities vowed Wednesday to work nonstop pursuing tips from the public that could help them find whoever set off a car bomb that injured a lawyer and his two young sons.
The bomb exploded about 5:40 p.m. Tuesday while Erik Chappell, 42, drove with his sons, ages 11 and 13, in the car on East Elm near Interstate 75, according to the American Bar Association, which posted information about the blast Wednesday on its website.
"We're going to work through the night and see where it takes us," said Donald Dawkins, spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Detroit. "Right now, we're just hard at work trying to figure out what's going on. We don't have any suspects right now. That's the frustrating part."
Dawkins, speaking at a news conference shortly before 5 p.m., said more than 20 ATF agents were working on the investigation, with help from Michigan State Police and Monroe Police.
Dawkins said authorities have received numerous calls from the public with possible leads. "We're trying to follow everything up," he said.
He said anyone with information about what he described as a "heinous crime," is asked to call (800) ATF-BOMB or (313) 202-3400.
Besides federal agents, Michigan State Police and Monroe Police are assisting with the probe.
Dawkins said he believes the vehicle that blew up was a Volvo, though investigators don't know if the bomb was under the vehicle or inside it. Authorities also are unsure if the device was on a timer.
"That we don't know yet, and that's a critical part of the investigation," Dawkins said.
Speaking at an earlier news briefing, Dawkins said the bomb carried lethal force.
"The serious blast was a dangerous blast and had power behind it, and the victims are lucky to be alive," he said.
Dawkins said the explosive was placed "where it would do the maximum amount of damage," which was "near the front, center of the car."
In an unusual case, Chappell was to have been in Federal District Court in Detroit on Wednesday to represent a hot dog vendor suing the city of Monroe. The vendor, Dog Pound LLC, sued the city two years ago after a plan to sell hot dogs from a cart was rejected. Owners of the hot dog cart company say Monroe won't allow it because other food businesses fear competition. The court conference was canceled Tuesday before the car bomb incident.
The hot dog case has drawn national interest because it symbolizes the little guy fighting city hall, said Monroe's lawyer on the case, John Gillooly.
During the last two years, Gillooly has been in the same courtroom with Chappell about 12 times.
"He's always talking about his kids, about their hockey games, sailing activities, their love for Lake Erie, things of that nature," Gillooly said. "We're obviously devastated. He's a great guy and very good advocate for his clients.
"He's a tough competitor and I'm sure his toughness will help him pull through this, and his kids as well."
Gillooly said he exchanged emails with Chappell on Tuesday afternoon prior to the explosion.
The children were reportedly flown by helicopter to a hospital and were listed in serious condition, police said. Chappell was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he also was initially listed in serious condition. Dawkins said it appears all the injured will survive.
Chappell reportedly was released from the hospital Wednesday, according to the American Bar Association, citing news media reports from Monroe and Toledo. Dawkins said Chappell already has been interviewed by investigators and provided useful information. He declined to describe the information, but said about 15 ATF agents were in the area, "pounding the pavement," along with Monroe-area and Michigan State Police.
Dawkins said he could provide no details about the type of explosive material used or the level of sophistication involved in crafting such a bomb. He said there is no indication that this was a terrorist act.
Shawn Remington, 33, was in the backyard of his nearby apartment complex Tuesday when he noticed the smoke and commotion after the explosion. He rushed to the scene with his camera and made photos of firefighters and emergency workers tending to at least two of the injured.
"The car was just metal. It was burned down to the ground," Remington said. "The tires were melted and the doors open. When you came up on the scene, you could smell the burning gasoline, rubber and plastics."
Wednesday afternoon, Mornoe County Sheriff's deputies were at Chappell's house on Lakeshore Drive in La Salle Township.
Neighbor Nancy King, who has lived actross from Chappell for 17 years, said she often sees him with his family on the nearby lake beach riding their personal watercraft. "They always just seemed like a happy family," King said.
Every year on July 4, Chappell throws a big barbecue and sets off fireworks, King said.
Detroit-based lawyer John Runyan represents an Ida woman suing a Dundee veterinarian clinic in federal court in Detroit over an employment dispute where Chappell represents the clinic.
"I feel very badly about what happened," Runyan said. "He seems like a fine man and a fine lawyer."
News staff writers Robert Snell and Doug Guthrie contributed to this report.
