In a worrisome case of political violence, the police have arrested two men, aged 58 and 31, for allegedly placing an incendiary device under a news media vehicle, which failed to detonate. The Salt Lake Police have not established a motive, and there is no apparent connection, as of now, with the nearby slaying of a conservative icon, Charlie Kirk.
For context, after the incident, a search warrant revealed explosives, components, firearms, illegal drugs, paraphernalia, and two hoax weapons of mass destruction, leading to evacuations. The two suspects not only face charges for weapons and explosives but also terrorism charges. The bomb was placed under a vehicle belonging to KTSU, a local Fox News affiliate.
In any case, the court records described how the devices, which were discovered on Friday, September 12, “had been lit but failed to function as designed.” After the incident was contained, a search warrant revealed “explosives and ‘explosive-related components,’ firearms, illegal narcotics and other paraphernalia,” and “at least two devices that turned out to be hoax weapons of mass destruction. ”
As we reported, this is far from the first time firebombs have been used in political violence in recent months. On June 9, 2025, ICE arrested Emiliano Garduno-Galvez, a previously deported Mexican illegal immigrant, for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at law enforcement during anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles.
Explaining the situation, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin announced, “Emiliano Garduno-Galvez is a criminal illegal alien from Mexico who threatened the lives of federal law enforcement officers by attacking them with a Molotov cocktail during the violent riots in Los Angeles.”
Continuing her explanation, she stated, “ICE arrested Garduno-Galvez, and he is now being charged with attempted murder. These are the types of criminal illegal aliens that rioters are fighting to protect. The Los Angeles rioters will not stop us or slow us down. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Echoing these sentiments, a DHS Press Release provided another perspective. The document read, “America’s brave ICE officers are removing the worst of the worst from LA’s streets, while LA’s leaders are working tirelessly against them.”
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In a snarky post to X, formerly Twitter, ICE said, “#ICYMI It turns out that Emiliano Garduno-Galvez — the Mexican national charged with attempted murder after throwing a Molotov cocktail at federal officers during the violent riots in Los Angeles — already had a criminal record. Last year, he was arrested twice by local police in California: Anaheim police | GRAND THEFT Long Beach police | DUI WE ALREADY DEPORTED HIM ONCE.”
Similarly, the DHS took to social media to state, “On June 9, 2025, ICE agents in Los Angeles arrested Emiliano Garduno-Galvez—an illegal alien from Mexico—for attempted murder after he threw a Molotov cocktail at law enforcement during the Los Angeles riots.”
Still not done, the agency added, “Garduno-Galvez had previously been deported. He has a previous criminal record: In 2024, Garduno-Galvez was arrested by the Anaheim Police Department for grand theft and by the Long Beach Police Department for a DUI. These are the types of criminal illegal aliens that rioters are fighting to protect.”