A Pilot Flying J truck stop in Pendleton, Kentucky, was shut down for a few hours Sunday afternoon, May 27, after an employee found an improvised explosive device in a trash can outside the store.
Kentucky State Police said in a press release an employee found what appeared to be a six-inch pipe bomb in one of the trash cans and called police. Troopers evacuated the building, and a KSP Hazardous Device Unit was brought to the scene to “render [the device] safe.”
Police say they were able to collect evidence and surveillance footage and conduct interviews with employees and witnesses on the scene.
The case for “use of a weapon of mass destruction” has been opened, which is a Class C felony. No suspects have been identified as of Tuesday morning.
Stephanie Myers, supervisor of external communications for Pilot Flying J, issued the following statement Sunday evening regarding the incident:
“The safety and well-being of our team members and guests is always our main concern. As this is an open investigation, we are cooperating fully with local authorities who are investigating what happened at our Pilot Travel Center located at 205 Pendleton Road in Pendleton, Kentucky. Pilot Flying J is cooperating fully with the local officials, and any further inquiries should be directed to the proper authorities.”
