Woman arrested with 9 homemade bombs in backpack following string of fires in North Texas

Fox 4 News ^ | 2/23/2026 | Madi Marks

[simpson96]

COMMERCE, Texas - A woman was arrested over the weekend after police allegedly caught her "testing" homemade bombs following a string of fires in Commerce, authorities said.

Since Feb. 19, police have been investigating a series of fires reported across the city over a three-day span. On Saturday night, a patrol officer spotted a fire at Centennial Park and observed a woman leaving the immediate area.

Officers detained the woman, identified as Jamia Howell, and discovered nine homemade bombs inside her backpack. Investigators also recovered a lighter and other materials used to manufacture explosive devices.

Howell was taken into custody and transported to the Commerce Police Department. She is charged with arson and possession of a prohibited weapon. Police said additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.

[No name given]

Just another relative of Obeyme doing what they do best.

[Magnum44]

[NorthMountain]

nine homemade bombs

Yep. Each one of them is a "destructive device"; They each need a serial number and registration with the BATFE. Per NFA.

In violation of the Constitution.

But I don't think this lady is likely to be a Constitutional activist ...

[NorthMountain]

Oh ... I congratulate the Commerce Police Department for arresting her without killing anybody.

[SuperLuminal]

Definitely guilty...

[PghBaldy]

I am shocked it’s a woman.

[ansel12]

Wonder if she was inspired by that recent movie glorifying black female domestic terrorists, “One Battle After Another”.

[drypowder]

Jamia Howell. Her demographic was obvious by her first name. Dead give away.

[larrytown]

Wonder if she was inspired by that recent movie glorifying black female domestic terrorists, “One Battle After Another”.

Blame Disney - they were made from coconuts...

[exnavy]

If her bombs had to be ignited by a lighter, that would be Darwin winning stuff. Just sayin.

[House Atreides]

Oh, Jamia, how could you!

[Big Red Badger]

Patty Hearst shocked me to Think
‘How could a Woman do This?’
.

[catnipman]

stupid girl: doing the jobs white women should be doing ...

[Ann Archy]

OMG!!! The ARSONIST is a BLACK!!!

[Ann Archy]

THAT was a WOMAN?????

[frank ballenger]

In advance, I will remind everyone that the cliche we’ll hear soon “she’s gonna go away for a long time” is NOT true. Even if she goes to prison it will not be for very long and she will be brooding and plotting a really big bombing event when she gets out someday.

No solution suggested, just a reminder.

[frank ballenger]

Good one.
She might use a lighter if the power was out and she was trying to locate the source of a gas leak in the basement.

[Chickensoup]

Every time I see these strings of fires I say terrorism and some one comes in to tell me that I am over reacting.

I am not

Fire is the cheapest easiest form of terrorism and we are in a terrorist war.

[FlingWingFlyer]

She looks like Jazzy Crockett’s horse.