ATF seeking man wanted for fire-bombing Madison government building amid unrest
MADISON — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of a man believed to be responsible for the fire-bombing at a downtown Madison government building early Wednesday morning, June 24.
Crowds tear down statues outside Wisconsin State Capitol, attack state senator
Protesters toppled statues, vandalized buildings and are accused of assaulting a Democratic state senator on video at the Wisconsin State Capitol Tuesday night into Wednesday after daylong protests turned violent.
Around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, an individual threw an incendiary device into the City County Building, located at 211 S. Carroll Street, which houses the 911 communications office, Madison Police Department and other city and county government services.
Video and photos captured of the event show the individual who threw the device.
“We are looking to the public to help us identify this individual,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jon Ortiz, of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. “This is a serious crime that put a number of lives at risk. Acts like this will not be tolerated. If you know who threw this device, ATF is offering up to $5,000 for information.”
Gov. Tony Evers
On Wednesday, Gov. Tony Evers authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to support local law enforcement in Dane County in response to the civil unrest.
Black Lives Matter protest organizer Kashawn Johnson, 26, said the violence is distracting from the movement's message.
"It's not helping. It's not helping at all," Johnson said. "It was agitators, not protesters. Forward together is Wisconsin's motto, but since it's been Wisconsin's motto, we haven't been moving forward together. We haven't. We've actually been at a standstill."
Anyone with information on the identity and/or whereabouts of the individual is asked to contact the Madison Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014 or online a www.P3Tips.com. Information can be submitted anonymously, but if a reward is sought, be sure to include contact information. Information eligible for reward must lead to the arrest and conviction of this individual.