Explosions kill two Moses Lake men

Bomb destroys Soap Lake pickup

MOSES LAKE - Explosions killed two Moses Lake men and a third destroyed a Soap Lake pickup within 12 days of each other.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office and the FBI are investigating the explosions and would not reveal information about the events until Tuesday.

"We're not sure if they're connected, that's why we are investigating. We're not making any assumptions," said Turley. "It is highly unusual to have three explosions in such a short time, two being pipe bombs and two explosions killing people. We do not know if there is a connection between all three."

Turley said the FBI is helping with evidence collection, while deputies are taking witness statements and conducting interviews. The coroner's office is performing autopsies with assistance in evidence collection from the bodies by Dr. Gina Fino, a medical examiner from Wenatchee.

It will take time to review the evidence from all three explosions to draw conclusions and determine if there are any concoctions. Turley was unable to provide an estimate on when the investigation will be complete.

The FBI did not have agents available to comment on the investigation Tuesday.

First explosion - Truck

The first explosion was a pipe bomb detonated July 23 in Soap Lake, destroying a 1985 Dodge Ram pickup, according to Grant County Undersheriff John Turley. The truck was parked in a field, across from a home on Othello Place in the Lakeview area.

"Our arson investigator collected remnants of a pipe bomb," Turley. "It completely destroyed the truck."

Investigators haven't found a reason for the bomb and are continuing the investigation.

Second explosion - Walker

The second explosion was Saturday at a home on 4th Street Northeast, 4 miles east of Moses Lake. Turley said William Arleigh Walker, 69, Moses Lake, was found by his 28-year-old-grandson face down in a workshop at the home, under debris, and called 9-1-1 at 2:52 p.m.

"Walker had some how experienced severe trauma due to a possible explosion and had received wounds to his neck and chest," Turley stated. "Mr. Walker was pronounced deceased at the scene apparently due to the trauma experienced from an explosion."

Grant County Coroner Jerry Jasman determined the death was suspicious in nature at the scene, and performed an autopsy Tuesday.

Walker was a retired electrician with no criminal background, Turley said.

"I feel sorry for Mrs. Walker. It could have been a complete accident in his shop. I feel badly we have to put her through this. But we would be amiss if we didn't make sure we were positive about the circumstances that have evolved in a 12 day period."

Third explosion - Adame

The third explosion took place Sunday, just after midnight, within 10 hours of the bomb suspected of killing Walker.

Javier Martinez Adame, 53, Moses Lake, was found by sheriff's deputies on the kitchen floor with a severe wound to his chest and stomach in his home, located off of Stratford Road, just north of Moses Lake city limits, said Turley.

"It was determined that an explosive device Mr. Adame may have been handling at the time had exploded killing him almost instantly," Turley stated. "Deputies who had arrived on scene advised of a pungent air filled with the smell of sulfur both in and outside the residence."

Two search warrants were served on the home. The first was to search for evidence connected to the bomb. Investigators found pipe bomb making materials, including pipe, end caps, nails, electrical wires, and timing devices, according to Turley.

During the initial search, deputies found more than 3 grams of methamphetamine and syringes causing them to obtain a second warrant to search for drugs. The second warrant allows law enforcement keep the drug evidence found while looking for bomb related materials, Turley said.

A few people are known to have rented rooms in the home, but investigators are unable to determine how many people lived with Adame.

Adame has a criminal drug history, said Turley. He was convicted for sales of narcotics.

Investigation efforts

The investigations drew upon the resources of many agencies.

Grant County Fire District No. 5 assisted securing the residences with deputies to ensure they were safe after both Moses Lake explosions. Grant County Fire District No. 7 assisted with the Soap Lake truck explosion, along with Soap Lake Police, said Turley.

The U.S. Army sent an Explosive Ordinance Detection team from Yakima, Wash., on Sunday to assist in the investigation of the Javier explosion.

Due to the large size of the property and number of outbuildings, a explosives detecting dog was brought by the security team protecting the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

The FBI provided 18 special agents from the Emergency Response Team to assist in gathering evidence at the scenes and three to assist with the autopsies.

The Grant County Fire Marshal's Office is also assisting in the investigations.

Pipe bombs

"Finding pipe bombs is not that unusual," Turley said

Three months ago, a pipe bomb was found along an irrigation canal bank in the Soap Lake area. It was not exploded.

"We find them every now and then," said Turley. "It's been quite a while since we had one."