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Here's the latest from the Tulsa World.

No one else involved in bombing, FBI tells lawmaker
By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
10/12/2005

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WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Tom Cole said Tuesday that the FBI told him there is no indication anyone else was involved in the apparent suicide bombing that took the life of University of Oklahoma student Joel Henry Hinrichs III earlier this month.

Citing a point of frustration expressed by law enforcement, the Oklahoma Republican said, the agent who briefed him on the investigation questioned why no one with knowledge of Hinrichs' lengthy interest in explosives had ever contacted the bureau or some other agency.

"That is illegal activity," Cole said. "It is not like having a firearm and being a hunter."

No situation involving the making of a bomb even for private use is legal, he said, adding the agent clearly thought public awareness should be increased on that issue.

A two-term member of Congress whose district includes OU, Cole said he asked for an FBI briefing on the case that has generated an unusual amount of attention from those inside and outside the university community.

"No. 1, we don't have any reason to believe this was anything other than an individual suicide," Cole said, again quoting the FBI agent.

"We feel pretty good that there
is not terrorist activity."

Cole said the FBI, while still careful about ruling certain things in or out in the ongoing investigation, said law enforcement has looked at the 21-year-old student's phone records, e-mails and personal records.

"They checked out every acquaintance they could find," he said, including his roommate.

"He didn't have a lot of friends."

No evidence such as jihadist material has been found linking Hinrichs to others, Cole said.

"There is no indication he was acting in concert with anybody," he said.

Asked if Hinrichs had left a suicide note, Cole said the FBI told him "there was no note."

One of the questions that continues to generate speculation involved the timing and location of the bombing, which occurred close to a packed Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Cole said the FBI has not come up with a reason why Hinrichs picked that location and time for the bombing, adding, however, that that area is the first place that offers a place to sit down near the stadium.

As to the ongoing speculation that Hinrichs had attempted to enter the stadium only to be turned away by security, Cole said the FBI briefer conceded "honestly, we don't know," but added no confirmation of those reports has been found.

He said the FBI also cannot confirm the path Hinrichs took right before the bombing.

The FBI, the congressman said, praised the reaction of the local community, including those in the Islamic community, law enforcement and OU President David Boren.

Cole said he was told members of the Islamic community "went above and beyond" to cooperate with the investigation and no connection to the local mosque has been found.

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., received an FBI briefing on the incident last week.

Danny Finnerty, special assistant to Inhofe, said the senator also received assurances that Hinrichs was acting alone when he killed himself.

Finnerty said the FBI also told Inhofe it could not confirm reports Hinrichs had attempted to enter the stadium.

Jim Myers (202) 484-1424
jim.myers@tulsaworld.com