Attacks on DHS Facilities: Idaho Suspected Ambulance Arson Attempt and New FBI Probe of ICE Warehouse Fire Damage in Arizona
Authorities say an ambulance stolen from a bay at St. Luke’s West hospital in Meridian, Idaho, was driven into the North Portico of a building housing DHS offices after gas cans and accelerant were reportedly retrieved and poured around the vehicle; the suspect was scared off before the ambulance could be ignited, remains unidentified, and Meridian Police are leading a joint investigation with the FBI, ATF, DHS, Idaho State Police and regional partners, with the police chief calling it an "act of violence." Separately, FBI Phoenix and Surprise police are investigating criminal damage at an ICE‑owned warehouse in Surprise, Arizona, where officers found a broken window and evidence of "minor and limited fire activity" around 1:30 a.m.; ATF is assisting, no suspects have been identified, and investigators are assessing whether the incidents indicate an emerging pattern of attacks on DHS facilities.
📌 Key Facts
- Meridian police say a suspect stole an ambulance from a bay at St. Luke’s West hospital around 11 p.m., drove it through the lot to retrieve gas cans pre‑staged in nearby vegetation, then rammed it into the North Portico of a building that houses DHS offices in Meridian, Idaho.
- Investigators believe the suspect poured accelerant inside and around the ambulance after ramming it into the DHS office building but was scared off by responding agencies before successfully igniting it.
- Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea called the incident an "act of violence," pushed back on online rhetoric minimizing attacks on federal property, and noted there has been controversy about DHS leasing space at the site.
- Meridian PD says the suspect has not been identified or located, emphasizes there is no indication of an ongoing broader threat, and is leading a joint investigation with the FBI, ATF, DHS, Idaho State Police and regional partners.
- FBI Phoenix and Surprise Police opened a probe into criminal damage at an ICE‑owned warehouse in Surprise, Arizona, reported about 1:30 a.m.; responding officers found a broken window and evidence of "minor and limited fire activity."
- No suspects have been identified or arrested in the Arizona incident; the ATF is assisting the FBI in that investigation.
- Reports explicitly link the Arizona warehouse damage to the earlier attempted arson in Meridian, Idaho, suggesting a possible emerging pattern of attacks on DHS facilities.
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- FBI Phoenix and Surprise Police are investigating criminal damage at an ICE-owned warehouse in Surprise, Arizona, reported around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
- Responding officers found a broken window and evidence of 'minor and limited fire activity' at the warehouse.
- No suspects have been identified or arrested yet; ATF is assisting the FBI in the Arizona investigation.
- The article explicitly links the Arizona incident to the earlier attempted arson at a DHS office building in Meridian, Idaho, suggesting a possible emerging pattern of attacks on DHS facilities.
- Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea detailed the sequence: ambulance stolen from a bay at St. Luke’s West hospital around 11 p.m., then driven through the lot so the suspect could retrieve gas cans that had been pre‑staged in nearby vegetation.
- Investigators believe the suspect poured accelerant inside and around the ambulance after ramming it into the North Portico building that houses DHS offices, but was scared off by responding agencies before successfully igniting it.
- Basterrechea publicly pushed back on online rhetoric minimizing attacks on federal property, explicitly calling this an 'act of violence' and noting there has been 'a lot of rhetoric' about DHS leasing space at the site.
- Police say the suspect has not yet been identified or located but emphasize there is no indication of an ongoing broader threat; Meridian PD is leading a joint investigation with FBI, ATF, DHS, Idaho State Police and regional partners.