Alabama Hostage Taker Had Bombs In Bunker


Alabama hostage taker Jimmy Lee Dykes apparently had home-made bombs in his bunker.

Authorities killed Dykes when they invaded his bunker Monday, and 5-year-old Ethan was successfully freed.

Betty Jean Ransbottom, Ethan’s grandmother fears the crisis that the child will face for the rest of his life:

“We know he’s OK physically, but we don’t know how he is mentally.”

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Jimmy Lee Dykes took the child off a school bus after shooting and killing the driver. After days of negotiations proved unsuccessful, authorities stormed Dykes’ compound.

According to the Huffington Post, Roger Arnold, an acquaintance of Dykes, said:

“He always said he’d never be taken alive. I knew he’d never come out of there.”

According to ABC News, the bombs had been cleverly planted. One bomb was found inside the bunker and another was located in a PVC pipe negotiators used in communications with Dykes. Both bombs were successfully defused. The search for additional bombs and hazards is expected to continue through today.

FBI special agents had been situated near the bunker entrance and negotiators convinced Jimmy Lee Dykes to approach the door. Agents used two explosions to open a way into the bunker. Dykes had reinforced the bunker against attempted entry, a plan which obviously failed.

Brad Garrett, former FBI agent, stated:

“It’s all about timing that is why you practice. You practice blowing the door in split seconds, flash bang, shoot before Mr. Dykes would even have an opportunity to react.”

Ethan’s aunt Debra Cook stated:

“If I could, I would do cartwheels all the way down the road. I was ecstatic. Everything just seemed like it was so much clearer. You know, we had all been walking around in a fog and everyone was just excited. There’s no words to put how we felt and how relieved we were.”

Jimmy Lee Dykes’ bombs were no match for FBI prowess, as they entered the bunker and saved Ethan from the hostage taker.

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