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CNN Live Today

Pipe Bomb Trail Crosses U.S.

Aired May 07, 2002 - 11:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: People in some sections of the Midwest say that they're afraid to even go out and open their mailboxes anymore, and the fear is now spreading. A string of pipe bombings has wounded six people and set nerves all over on edge. And now another bomb has been found, as Daryn just said.

Let's check in with our Rusty Dornin. She has more now from Omaha, Nebraska -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Leon, the interesting thing is in this latest find, which was in Amarillo, Texas, and apparently was discovered last night, is that the bomber who had all along been going along a western route, sort of following along Interstate 80, has now taken an abrupt turn and gone southeast.

Now, the bomb that was found in Nebraska -- in Hastings, Nebraska, it's 400 miles across to Salida, Colorado, then another 325 miles down to Amarillo, Texas. So this guy is really on the move. They say the device found in Amarillo is very similar to the ones found in the other -- in the rest of the states. And they believe that a bomb -- a note was discovered with those so they do believe that the source on this is still the same.

Now, FBI profilers that we have talked to, former FBI profilers, say that this man is by his letters and the way that he keeps leaving his communications all the way along means that he wants some attention from this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CANDICE DELONG, FORMER FBI PROFILER: It certainly took the Unabomber a long time to trip -- to trip himself up, about 15 years before he demanded the manifesto be signed or be read. This individual has sent this note. He seems to be very active. I have a suspicion he's probably going to be identified probably fairly soon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Now, they received several tips about this person from people, but so far they've just really led nowhere so they haven't gotten anything solid to go on. Of course as he goes across the country, all the offices as he goes across are being activated. The main source of the investigation is still here in Omaha, Nebraska, but of course FBI offices in Denver and even one in Amarillo, of course, agents there are taking on the cases. So still unclear as to where this man is going, but he's taken a turn south. Unclear whether he's going to be coming back east and make a big loop. They just don't know -- Leon.

HARRIS: All right, Rusty.

And we should remind folks that we also have learned that there will be a press conference which should be getting underway any moment now with the FBI on this. And once it gets underway, we'll take you there live.

Thanks. Rusty Dornin, in Omaha, Nebraska.

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