FBI, ATF leading investigation; three people were hospitalized with noncritical injuries

Hours after a recreational vehicle exploded in downtown Nashville on Christmas morning, law enforcement officials — still without a suspect or motive for the blast — surveyed a devastated landscape including more than 40 damaged businesses, three people hospitalized with injuries, and disruptions to Internet and cell service. Authorities grounded planes and the mayor imposed a nighttime curfew on the busy historical district near the blast site.

On a holiday many hoped would bring a sense of calm in a chaotic year, the early-morning explosion dealt a terrifying blow.

“We are very lucky that there were not more injuries.”

“One more event in Nashville’s 2020,” he added.

Police and city officials called the incident an “intentional act” — Cooper (D) called it a “deliberate bomb” — and vowed to bring a plethora of local, state and federal law enforcement resources to bear to find a suspect. While there were no confirmed fatalities, Nashville’s police chief said investigators found tissue that could be human remains near the explosion that they were preparing to examine.

Some later speculated that the sound of gunfire was an amplified recording designed to awaken them.

Then came a bizarre recorded warning from a loudspeaker on the RV, police and residents said.

“It was a computerized message of ‘Evacuate now. …

Soon after, the message changed to a 15-minute countdown to detonation.