PORTLAND, Ore. — The FBI revealed that the devices used to ignite three ballot drop box fires in the Pacific Northwest during the 2024 elections contained a dangerous combination of thermite and scrap metal. This information was shared by FBI agents during a news briefing at the bureau’s Portland field office.
Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson stated that thermite is composed of metal shavings mixed with iron oxide and is capable of reaching temperatures as high as 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,204 degrees Celsius). He explained that the individual who created the incendiary devices utilized scrap metal for the outer casing and filled the interior with thermite, which is relatively easy to produce.
Concerns were raised regarding the potential for the suspect to inflict harm either on themselves or on others if they continue their experiments with such volatile materials. “Along with the physical dangers, these devices can lead to substantial destruction in residential areas, storage locations, or various landscapes,” claimed Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington.
Authorities currently believe the suspect may be male, although they have not ruled out the slight possibility that the individual could be female. The investigation has also considered the chances of an accomplice, but as of now, no evidence has emerged to support that theory. The whereabouts of the suspect remain unknown.
Officials are encouraging community members to report anyone exhibiting unusual behaviors such as hoarding metal shavings or showing a peculiar interest in thermite, welding, or the collection of metal scraps. Burn damage occurring in homes, storage facilities, or natural areas can also provide vital clues, along with any increase in attention to media coverage of the ongoing case.
On October 28, just days ahead of Election Day, a ballot box in Portland, Oregon, along with another in nearby Vancouver, Washington, was set ablaze in what officials condemned as an attack against the democratic process. The fire at the Vancouver drop box, which coincided with a highly competitive U.S. House race, resulted in significant damage, affecting hundreds of ballots.
Fortunately, a fire suppression system inside the Portland drop box limited the damage, leaving only three ballots affected. However, in Vancouver, although the drop box was also equipped with a suppression system, it failed to prevent extensive damage; elections staff later reported nearly 500 compromised ballots were recovered.
A previous incident involving a drop box in Vancouver on October 8 did not result in any ballot damage. Vancouver, as the largest city in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, hosted a heated House race where Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez was challenged by Republican Joe Kent as she sought re-election.
The suspect has previously been characterized as a white male, aged between 30 and 40, who may have skills in metalworking or welding and could have a balding or closely cropped hairstyle. The FBI has specifically requested help in identifying the vehicle associated with the suspect. Surveillance videos captured footage of a dark-colored Volvo S-60 sedan from the early 2000s, which sported a fake temporary Washington license plate and lacked a front plate during the fires on October 28.
The car, which was noted to have a light-colored interior, sunroof, dark aftermarket rims, and worn trim, was missing the usual Volvo emblem from its front grill. There is a possibility that the suspect has since made repairs or changes to the vehicle, or even sold it, according to Herrington.
Agents are calling on those who know anyone who has recently discarded or ceased using a Volvo fitting that description to report relevant information. The incendiary devices from the October 28 incident bore the message “Free Gaza,” according to a law enforcement official who chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation. Another device found at a different Vancouver drop box on October 8 also included the phrases “Free Palestine” alongside “Free Gaza.”
Investigators are attempting to determine if the suspect genuinely holds pro-Palestinian beliefs or if the messages were merely intended to mislead. To that end, the FBI has made a reward of up to $25,000 available for any information leading to the identification of the suspect.
