Published: 8/11/2022


A GILES COUNTY MAN SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES AFTER CRAFTING AN IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE THAT DETONATED PREMATURELY. LOCAL 911 DISPATCHERS RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE PRIMARY OWNER OF A RESIDENCE ON FALL RIVER ROAD FRIDAY REPORTING AN INJURY AND EXPLOSION ON HER PROPERTY. THE MAN WHO OCCUPIED A SECOND RESIDENCE ON THE PROPERTY, MICHAEL CONNER, SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES TO HIS HAND AND FOREARM AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AIR-EVAC TO VANDERBILT TRAUMA CENTER, BUT HAS NOW BEEN RELEASED AND IS RECOVERING WITH FAMILY AT HOME. JOE PURVIS OF THE GILES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS THAT AGENTS FROM NUMEROUS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES ASSISTED IN INVESTIGATING AND SECURING THE PROPERTY INCLUDING: THE FBI, ATF, HOMELAND SECURITY, GCSD, THP BOMB SQUAD AND GILES EMS. EVIDENCE WAS COLLECTED AND SEARCH WARRANTS WERE ISSUED AND EXECUTED FOR THE RESIDENCE. NO CHARGES HAVE YET BEEN FILED BUT THE INVESTIGATION IS ACTIVE AND ONGOING. LAW ENFORCEMENT INDICATED THIS MATTER IS NOT CONSIDERED A THREAT TO THE PUBLIC.