FBI: Minivan new clue in Moore County substation attack; $100,000 reward
After almost a year since the Moore County substation attack, the FBI and sheriff's office are asking for the public's help following a new lead.
Officials are asking the public for help finding a minivan seen on Dec. 3, 2022, the night of two electrical substation shootings.
The van is likely a silver or light blue Honda Odyssey between 2011 and 2017. The FBI on Friday shared a photo of a similar van and posted a reward up to $100,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Multiple shots were fired Dec. 3 at Duke Energy electrical substations located approximately 10 miles apart in West End and Carthage, North Carolina. The damage caused a massive power outage for nearly 45,000 people that lasted five days.
One death was connected to the power outage, which caused a 87-year-old woman's oxygen machine to lose power.
The woman, who needed the oxygen tank for heart disease, was found in her Pinehurst home without power when she died.
There is a combined reward up to $100,000. The FBI, Moore County, the North Carolina Governor’s office, and Duke Energy are each offering up to $25,000 for information to solve the case.
Investigators are asking anyone who saw the van the night of the shooting between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI (225-5324), the Moore County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 910-947-4444 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov
The occupant(s) of the van may have information relevant to the investigation. Agents and detectives are conducting numerous lawful methods to locate the van. We also know the public can provide valuable information to augment law enforcement investigations.
Sheriff Ronnie Fields released a statement days before the one-year mark since the attacks, writing:
"We have pursued hundreds of leads since the start of the investigation and continue to receive them. We have scoured local businesses and residential areas and have conducted hundreds of interviews in search of any information associated with the attacks. Although it is not prudent to share all the details of this case, we are working diligently to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and see justice served for our communities."
Only a few weeks after the Moore County power grid attack, there were two separate incidents of white supremacy hate banners hanging over Moore County highways.
Fields said he doesn't know whether the banners – or the angry protests surrounding a drag show on the night of the substation attacks – are related to the substation attack in any way. However, he also said no stone will be left unturned.
WRAL News is asking why the photo of the van wasn't released earlier.
