It’s been a harrowing week for the state of Utah. Still grappling with the shock of the political assassination of Charlie Kirk and the arrest of his alleged killer, Utahans have now been forced to confront a chilling second act: an attempted bombing involving a local news media vehicle — and a potential plot that could have caused widespread harm.
According to authorities, an incendiary device was found under a media van near an occupied building in Salt Lake City on Friday. The device had reportedly been ignited but failed to fully function.
That malfunction likely prevented what police described as a “significant threat to public safety.” In short, this wasn’t a prank, and it wasn’t an idle threat. It was a live device — an active attempt to cause damage, injury, or worse.
Two men, 58-year-old Adeeb Nasir and 31-year-old Adil Nasir, were arrested in connection with the incident. But it didn’t end there.
When police searched a residence in Magna linked to the suspects, they uncovered what court records describe as a disturbing arsenal: explosives and “explosive-related components,” firearms, narcotics, paraphernalia, and two hoax weapons of mass destruction. This wasn’t a basement chemistry accident — it was a calculated stockpile.
Our Fox affiliate in Salt Lake City confirms an incendiary device was found under one of their news cars pic.twitter.com/yf8NgFIIYY
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) September 14, 2025
So what was the target? That’s the question. While authorities haven’t publicly speculated on motive yet, one detail is impossible to overlook: the device was planted under a news vehicle belonging to Salt Lake City’s Fox affiliate. Given the highly politicized atmosphere following Kirk’s assassination — and the role Fox News has played in covering it — the implications are deeply unsettling.
Matt Finn of Fox News reported that the vehicle was indeed part of the local affiliate’s fleet. FOX 13’s Station Manager Leona Wood confirmed the station is working closely with law enforcement and risk management, emphasizing that the safety of staff is the top priority.
It’s unclear whether this was meant to be symbolic, retaliatory, or something more sinister — but the level of preparation and the contents found at the suspects’ home suggest that this was no isolated act of vandalism. Police are seeking to have both suspects held without bail, citing the seriousness of the charges: Threat of Terrorism, Possession of Explosive Devices, and Possession of Weapons of Mass Destruction.