FBI launches independent investigation into ballot box fires

The FBI is conducting a “separate but parallel investigation” into the incident chest fire It broke out in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, on Monday morning.

The fires occurred approximately two hours apart, and sufficient evidence collected from both fires indicated that the events were linked. They are also linked to a separate incident in Vancouver, Washington, on October 8. The incidents resulted in the destruction of hundreds of ballot papers.

Law enforcement spotted a suspicious vehicle leaving a polling station in Portland. The vehicle was described as a “black or dark colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60” with a missing front license plate. According to CNN.

“We don’t know the motives behind these actions, it sounds like a series of three at this point, but we do know that these types of actions are targeted and intentional,” Portland Police Bureau Deputy Chief Amanda McMillan said at a news conference Monday. “We are concerned about this deliberate action attempting to influence the election process. “We are committed to stopping this type of behavior and that is what we are working towards today.”

FBI officials told the media they were “coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to actively investigate the two incidents,” but did not specify whether the incidents were being investigated as domestic terrorism. National Review reported.

The incidents come after the intelligence agency warned Americans in July about the threat of explosives or incendiary devices being thrown at polling stations this November. The Department of Homeland Security issued the warning after an anonymous tipster tipped them off to online forums detailing how to attack the boxes.

Misty Severi is the evening news reporter for Just The News. you can follow him on x for greater coverage.