Case Studies

Summaries of Real-World Examples of Threats or Attacks

Explore our case studies to understand the complexities of various threats and the responses to them.

United States Incidents (2014–Present)

2015 – NAACP Office Bombing (Colorado Springs, CO)

In January 2015, a pipe bomb detonated outside a building housing a local NAACP chapter and a hair salon. The IED caused minimal damage and no injuries. The perpetrator was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison.

2016 – Bombings in New York and New Jersey

On September 17, 2016, multiple bomb attacks struck the New York City area, injuring 31 people. Ahmad Khan Rahimi was convicted on federal terrorism charges and sentenced to life without parole.

2017 – NYC Subway Pipe Bomb (Port Authority)

On December 11, 2017, a man attempted a suicide bombing in a subway passage, injuring himself and three commuters. The attacker was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

2018 – Austin Serial Bombings (Texas)

In March 2018, a series of package bombs terrorized Austin, killing two people. The perpetrator, Mark Conditt, died in a final explosion as police closed in.

2018 – Nationwide Mail Bomb Plot

In October 2018, a series of mail bombs were sent to prominent critics of President Trump. Cesar Sayoc was arrested and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

2020 – Nashville Christmas Day Bombing

On Christmas morning 2020, an RV packed with explosives detonated in Nashville, causing significant damage. The perpetrator died in the explosion.

2021 – Pipe Bombs at RNC and DNC Headquarters

On January 6, 2021, two pipe bombs were found near the RNC and DNC headquarters. The perpetrator remains unidentified, and the FBI is offering a reward for information.

2021 – U.S. Capitol Bomb Threat Standoff

On August 19, 2021, a man claimed to have a bomb near the U.S. Capitol, leading to a major evacuation. He was later found to have no actual bomb.

2022 – Bomb Threats to HBCUs

In early 2022, a wave of hoax bomb threats targeted HBCUs across the U.S., causing significant disruption and prompting investigations.

2022–2023 – Power Grid Transformer Bombings

In late 2022 and early 2023, bombings at California power substations highlighted vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

2017 – Manchester Arena Bombing (UK)

A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 people and injuring over 100.

2017 – Borussia Dortmund Team Bus Bombing (Germany)

An explosion struck the bus carrying the Borussia Dortmund soccer team, injuring one player. The attacker was motivated by financial gain.

2019 – Sri Lanka Easter Bombings

Suicide bombers struck churches and hotels, killing 259 people. The attack revealed serious intelligence lapses and led to political fallout.

2022 – Letter Bombs in Europe (Spain)

A series of letter bombs were sent to various high-profile targets in Spain, prompting increased security measures.

References

United States incidents and case outcomes were compiled from contemporary news reports, Department of Justice press releases, and FBI statements for accuracy.

International case details were cross-referenced from sources such as the Associated Press, the Guardian, and official inquiries to ensure factual reliability.