Remains recovered from the duplex in the 800 block of N. Burlington Street are believed to belong to 56-year-old James Yoo, who is believed to be the suspect involved in the events leading up to the home explosion.
According to Arlington P.D., police were dispatched to the residence for a report of possible shots fired at around 4:45 p.m. on Dec. 4.
The preliminary investigation found that a male had fired a flare-style gun from inside out into the neighborhood over 30 times, Arlington Police Chief Andy Penn stated.
After attempts to engage with suspect were unsuccessful, police obtained a search warrant “to allow our officers to secure any weapons to ensure there would be no ongoing threat to the community,” Penn continued.
Police attempted to execute the warrant through various forms of communications with the suspect, including over the telephone and through loudspeakers. These efforts were not only unsuccessful, but according to the police department, the suspect fired several rounds from what is believed to be a firearm.
Penn said officers deployed “non-flammable, less lethal chemical munitions” to multiple areas of the residence aiming “to cause irritation in hopes of compelling the suspect to surrender.”
Meanwhile, gas to the home was cut off at the meter, and neighbors were evacuated at around 7 p.m., Arlington Assistant Fire Chief Jason Jenkins reported.
At about 8:25 p.m. the duplex exploded with the suspect inside, according to Arlington P.D. The remains discovered are believed to be Yoo, but they have been sent to the Chief Medical Examiner for firm confirmation of that, said Penn.
The fire burned into the night and 10 -12 houses in the neighborhood suffered “some sort of physical damage or are need of some type of services,” according to the deputy county manager Aaron Miller. However, no one was hurt.
Chief Penn said the only prior interactions that Arlington Police has with Yoo at that address were two loud noise complaints spanning over the past couple years.
But Yoo had been in communication with the FBI “via phone calls, letters, and online tips over a number of years,” according to David Sundberg, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
“I would characterize these communications [between Yoo and the FBI] as primarily complaints about alleged frauds he believed were perpetrated against him.” Sundberg added that the nature of the information from Yoo didn’t lead the FBI to open any investigations, but those communications are now being reviewed.
Chief Penn said police are aware of “concerning social media posts allegedly made by the suspect,” which will also be reviewed as part of the investigation.
During a press conference, Jenkins was asked about the fire department to decision to turn off the gas and evacuate neighbors well ahead of the explosion. The reporter question why these steps were taken if there was no indication of what was about to happen.
“In an attempt to mitigate or save lives, anything is possible. So in that particular instance, where an individual had barricaded themselves, we took the necessary steps to remove neighbors in case something, such as this, as unfortunate as this, should occur,” Jenkins replied.
He said authorities had no indication of what was to come but they prepare for the worst in these situations.
The lead investigating agencies in the investigation are the Northern Virginia Critical Incident Response Team and Arlington County’s Fire Marshal’s Office. The FBI and ATF are also part of the investigative team and have had crew on the ground including bomb techs and K-9s, the departments reported.
Chief Penn said there will be “an extensive and time-consuming investigation.” Jenkins underscored that, “There is no timeline as to when the investigation will conclude.”
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