Tennessee Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Alleged Explosives Plot During Arrest

A Tennessee man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of attempted murder following an incident at his home. Authorities allege that he attempted to detonate explosives while law enforcement officers were taking him into custody.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that 54-year-old Kevin Wade O’Neal was apprehended on Friday. He is facing a total of 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder, related to the alleged attempted murders of nine detectives and deputies. Additionally, he is charged with 14 counts of possessing prohibited weapons and one count of possessing explosive components.

Law enforcement officers went to O’Neal’s residence on Friday to locate him due to outstanding warrants for threatening public officials and law enforcement personnel in Polk County. Upon arrival, officers made contact with O’Neal and placed him under arrest.

During the arrest, officers observed a smoldering object within the room where O’Neal was located. Believing it to be an improvised explosive device (IED), they quickly evacuated the premises. The Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were called to the scene and executed a search warrant. During the search, authorities discovered 14 IEDs.

Further investigation revealed that O’Neal allegedly attempted to detonate the IEDs during the officers' arrival and while they were attempting to arrest him. He is also charged with two additional counts of attempted first-degree murder for the alleged attempted murders of two other individuals present at the time of his arrest.

O’Neal is currently being held at the Polk County Jail.