$5000 Reward Offered For City Hall Fire Bombing Information

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - April 19, 2001, the Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Lester Martz, the North Carolina Arson Awareness Council, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, and the city of Northwest, announced a $5000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for firebombing of the Northwest Police Department and City Hall on March 21, 2001.

On Wednesday, March 21, 2001, at 9:00 p.m., an unknown person or persons threw two (2) firebombs, also known as molotov cocktails, through the window of the Northwest Chief of Police office, which is located in the Northwest City Hall, at 4889 Vernon Road. A secondary incendiary device was located and recovered behind the City Hall. The firebombing of these offices caused approximately $10,000 in fire, smoke and water damage.

Mr. Martz stated that the investigation into the firebombing of the Chief's office and the City Hall is a top priority in the Charlotte Division. He further stated that violent attacks like this directed towards law enforcement warrant swift and significant investigative attention. Mr. Martz stated, "Anyone that has the total disregard for human life to use a firebomb to attack our police services, is not only a danger to law enforcement, but a threat to the safety and well being of the citizens of Northwest." This investigation is continuing as a joint effort with ATF and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

Anyone that believes they may have information that may be useful in the investigation into this firebombing is strongly encouraged to contact the SBI 24 hour number 1-800-334-3000, or the ATF 24 hour arson hotline at 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888-283-3473).