Bomb squad, Cincinnati FBI on scene for Brown Road operation
Emergency vehicles including one labeled as "Dayton Police Bomb Squad" are on the scene for an operation near Brown Road.
Editor's Note: This is a developing situation and this story will be updated as more information becomes available. This story was last updated at 4:23 p.m.
Multiple emergency vehicles, including one labeled "Dayton Police Bomb Squad" were on the scene for an operation on Brown Road in Oxford at 1 p.m. April 17.
A press release from the FBI Cincinnati Field Office's Joint Terrorism Task Force confirmed that the operation was in tandem with other operations in Mason and Liberty Township.
“The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested James River Phillips after he allegedly possessed a dangerous destructive device,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola in the press release. “The FBI and our partners worked together to ensure his actions were stopped before there was any risk to public safety.”
Phillips is believed to have possessed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) last September and left it at an outdoor sports complex in Lebanon, the press release states. The FBI identified Phillips as the primary suspect and connected him to other incidents "where he is alleged to have possessed and detonated potential explosives."
At 2:29 p.m., a large vehicle labeled "Dayton Police Bomb Squad" drove away from the scene. Multiple other emergency vehicles began to disperse shortly after, and OPD officers began allowing other vehicles to pass through the area.
Oxford Chief of Police John Jones confirmed that the Oxford Police Department was providing traffic and perimeter support only. A public affairs specialist with Cincinnati FBI referred the Oxford Free Press to the press release when asked for details. The activity was concentrated near the Brown Road-North Ridge Drive intersection.
A large tactical vehicle was seen driving away from the center of the scene at 1:53 p.m. Passersby were allowed to walk past the scene on the east side of Brown Road. Police vehicles were blocking the road between the north and south entrances to Hawks Landing. The activity was on the west side of Brown Road.
At roughly 2:15 p.m., a delivery driver dropped off roughly a dozen pizzas and waters for the first responders.
A nearby resident reported hearing instructions through a megaphone at approximately 1 p.m. Several of the first responders appeared to be in military fatigues. At least one responding vehicle was labeled as a K9 unit. OPD and the Oxford Fire Department were also on the scene.
Just two days ago, multiple agencies responded to a barricade situation in Oxford which resulted in a SWAT team presence. The suspect in that case was ultimately apprehended.
The Oxford Free Press will report with additional information when available.
