Authorities Determine Explosive Device was Authentic



    BOONE, N.C., July 23 /EMWNews/ -- The Bureau of Alcohol,

Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering a reward of up to $5,000

for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or

persons responsible for placing an illegal explosive device at the front

entrance of the Wal-Mart Store in Boone, N.C., during the early morning

hours on July 20, 2008.



    The investigation is being conducted jointly by ATF, the Boone Police

Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI).



    Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact these

agencies at the following numbers:



    Boone Police Department at (828) 268-6959



    NCSBI at (800) 334-3000



    ATF bomb hotline at 1-(888) ATF-BOMB, (that is 1-888-283-2662)



    All information will be treated confidentially, and callers will remain

anonymous if they request.



    ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating

explosions and fire. More information on ATF and its programs is at

http://www.atf.gov.