Siblings Indicted Over Alleged IED at MacDill Air Force Base Visitor Center; Brother Believed in China
Federal prosecutors have indicted siblings in connection with an alleged improvised explosive device planted outside the MacDill Air Force Base visitor center on March 10; investigators say a prepaid phone used to make a 911 bomb-threat call minutes later was tied to Alen Zheng via Best Buy surveillance, a search of his home recovered components consistent with the device, and both his mother and sister told agents they knew he had planted it. Authorities say the siblings sold the vehicle used to transport the device and left the country (Ann Mary returned March 17 while Alen remained in China); U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe said the motive is unknown but that they “obviously felt quite strongly” about something the U.S. government was doing, and some outlets have reported a possible tie to the Iran conflict.
📌 Key Facts
- Federal prosecutors have indicted siblings in connection with an explosive device found outside the visitor center at MacDill Air Force Base.
- The device was planted outside the visitor center on March 10; minutes later a 911 bomb-threat call was made that did not specify a precise location.
- Investigators tied the prepaid phone used to make the 911 call to Alen Zheng, supported by Best Buy surveillance footage showing him purchasing the phone.
- A search of Alen Zheng’s home uncovered components consistent with the improvised explosive device, and his mother and sister told agents they knew he had planted the bomb.
- Prosecutors say the siblings sold the vehicle used to transport the device on March 11, bought plane tickets to China, and flew out of Tampa on March 12; Ann Mary returned to the U.S. on March 17 while Alen remained in China.
- U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe said the device 'could've been potentially very deadly' and that the motive is unknown, though the siblings 'obviously felt quite strongly' about something the U.S. government was doing.
📊 Relevant Data
Black individuals make up approximately 18.4% of active duty military personnel, compared to 13.6% of the U.S. population, indicating overrepresentation in enlistment.
2020 Demographics Report — Military OneSource
Black service members are less likely to become officers and more likely to be seriously injured compared to white service members, with Black enlisted personnel facing higher risks in combat roles.
Military data reveals dangerous reality for black service members — CNN
In Operation Enduring Freedom, casualties by race included 47 Asian, 238 Black or African American, and 8 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander service members out of total deaths.
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Military Deaths — Defense Casualty Analysis System
As of 2024, 19.3% of Tampa, FL residents were born outside the United States, with the Asian population in Tampa declining by an estimated 8.0% since the 2020 Census.
Tampa, FL — Data USA
Black men are significantly over-represented in military service compared to the civilian labor force, with similar over-representation for Black women in civilian service roles.
Black Americans are much more likely to serve the nation, in military and civilian roles — Brookings Institution
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe specified the device was planted outside MacDill’s visitor center on March 10, and a 911 bomb threat call followed minutes later without a precise location.
- Investigators tied Alen Zheng to the prepaid phone used to make the 911 call, backed by Best Buy surveillance showing him purchasing the phone.
- A search of Alen Zheng’s home uncovered components consistent with the IED, and both his mother and sister acknowledged to agents that they knew he had planted the bomb.
- Kehoe detailed the siblings’ travel timeline: they bought plane tickets to China and sold the vehicle used to transport the device on March 11, flew out of Tampa on March 12, and Ann Mary returned to the U.S. on March 17 while Alen remained in China.
- Kehoe publicly characterized the device as one that 'could've been potentially very deadly' and said the motive is unknown but that the siblings 'obviously felt quite strongly' about something the U.S. government was doing.