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1 dead after car with explosive device inside crashes into athletic club, police say

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PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - Federal officials are investigating
after an explosive device was found inside a car that crashed into an
athletic club in Portland, Oregon. 

Officers responded to reports of a crash at the Multnomah Athletic Club
at about 3 a.m. Saturday, the Portland Police Bureau said. 

Police said the car caught on fire after crashing into the front
entrance of the club. After first responders got the fire under control,
they found the driver dead inside. 

Evidence of an explosive device was also found inside. The Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said its agents arrived at the
scene to assist with the investigation. 

At a press conference Saturday, Jim DeFrain of the Metro Explosive
Disposal Unit said that shortly after 4 a.m., investigators found “a
number of” what they believed to be incendiary and improvised explosive
devices at the scene - some of which had already gone off - causing
“significant” damage. 

He added that there were a number of devices found in “different states”
of going off but that had not been completely consumed, and that devices
were still being found as of Saturday afternoon. 

A law enforcement source close to the investigation said investigators
believe that 49-year-old Bruce Whitman was the driver. Police say his
body was burned beyond recognition, but that they were able to tie the
rental car used in the attack to Whitman. 

KPTV has seen letters sent from the Multnomah Athletic Club to their
members, warning about a former employee named Bruce Whitman, dating
back to 2022. 

In at least three letters from June 2022, the club says Whitman
approached members in public and at their homes, saying that at least
five members were verbally accosted at their doorsteps. Members who had
encounters with him were encouraged to file restraining or no-stalking
orders against Whitman. 

The club says after Whitman’s verbal threats escalated, he was detained
by Portland police and placed on a psychiatric hold. It’s unclear how
long he remained in police custody and when he was released. 

Police executed a search warrant at Whitman’s house on Saturday evening
but have not released any information about what exactly they were
searching for. 

The Multnomah Athletic Club said the club is closed until further
notice. 

“Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through the
next steps,” the club said. “The safety of our members and staff our top
priority.” 

The club also said they are cooperating with the Portland Police Bureau
in their investigation. 

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to reach out to
crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov. 

It is not the first time a car has crashed into the athletic club.
Another car crashed into the building on April 8, injuring a security
guard. Police at the time said there was no evidence of impairment or
criminal activity. 

Portland Police Chief Bob Day said at Saturday’s press conference that
there was no reason to believe the two crashes were related. 

https://www.fox8live.com/2026/05/02/1-dead-after-car-with-explosive-devic
e-inside-crashes-into-athletic-club/ 

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1 dead after car with explosive device inside crashes into athletic club, police say Johnny <johnny@invalid.net> - 2026-05-04 05:24 +0200

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