On August 2, 2008 at 5:43 AM, Santa Cruz Police Officers and Fire Department personnel responded to a report of a fire at a residence on the west side of Santa Cruz. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the residence had been intentionally firebombed. The home belonged to the family of a University of California – Santa Cruz researcher, and the family was home at the time. The address of the residence was one of those listed in the animal rights pamphlets found on July 29th (case 08S-06744). The victims, including two young children, escaped down a fire ladder from a second story window. Injuries were sustained by family members during the escape.
“This is nothing less than a case of attempted homicide,” said Santa Cruz Chief of Police Howard Skerry. “It’s unconscionable that any reasonable person would consider this an acceptable tactic to get their point across. We are working hard with the other agencies and committing all available resources to follow all possible leads. We urge anyone with information to come forward.” Chief Skerry spoke personally with FBI and ATF supervisors at the scene.
Santa Cruz Police investigators, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and UCSC Police are conducting a joint initial investigation, collecting evidence at the scene and interviewing witnesses. The case has been designated an act of Domestic Terrorism and turned over to the FBI.
This incident is being investigated in conjunction with a second incident which involved a vehicle that was firebombed on the UCSC campus at close to the same time (UCSC case 08-771). For more information on that incident, please contact UCSC Police at (831) 459-2231. All the involved agencies are taking additional steps to protect the safety of other people listed in the animal rights pamphlets.
These incidents follow a string of attacks by suspected animal rights extremists dating back to an attempted firebombing of a police vehicle on March 31, 2007 (07S-3171).
Santa Cruz Police investigators urge anyone with information about this incident to please contact Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations at (831) 420-5820. To leave ANONYMOUS information regarding this incident, please call our TIP LINE at (831) 420-5995.
The release of further information on this case will be in coordination with the FBI and ATF. For press inquiries to the FBI, please call (415) 553-7450.
Santa Cruz Police Department Press Contact: Captain Steve Clark (831) 420-5847
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