GRANTS PASS — Police here are searching for someone who left a small bomb in a plastic bottle found at a church Friday morning, which forced authorities to evacuate a section of downtown Grants Pass and close J Street.
An Oregon State Police bomb squad robot called in to detonate the device was damaged in the "significant" explosion, but no surrounding property or people were harmed. The bomb was about 70 feet from the nearest building, Grants Pass Sgt. Dennis Ward said.
Authorities were called to the Four Square Church at 450 S.W. J St. at about 9:35 a.m. after someone found the bomb in the church parking lot. The device was a plastic soda bottle covered in black tape with a fuse at the top, Ward said.
Officers evacuated the immediate area and notified neighbors. They closed J Street between Pine and Third streets and called the OSP bomb squad.
There is little physical evidence left from the explosion, leaving police with little to go on in solving the case.
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The church has not received any threatening messages, nor have its leaders reported any suspicious incidents in the past, Ward said.
The case is under investigation. No details are available yet on suspects or their motives for leaving the bomb in the parking lot, police said.
Officials caution people who find suspicious devices to leave the object alone, move to a safe area and call police.
Anyone with information about the bomb can call detectives at 474-6370.
Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail cconrad@mailtribune.com.
