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October 2, 2005

Bombing victim identified

He was 21-year-old OU engineering major: FBI investigation continuing

By James S. Tyree

Transcript Staff Writer

An American out-of-state male University of Oklahoma student is believed to have been the person who committed suicide with a bomb Saturday on OU’s South Oval.

OU President David Boren said Sunday during a news conference that Joel Henry Hinrichs III, 21, was an engineering student who had been at OU for three years. Boren read an FBI release that read, “Although the Cleveland County Medical Examiner has not completed his investigation, the body is believed to be that of Joel Henry Hinrichs III.”

Boren would not divulge Hinrichs’ hometown, only saying he’s from a nearby state. Later Sunday, the Associated Press made contact with Hinrichs’ father in Colorado Springs, Colo. He said his son was a National Merit Scholar who graduated in May 2002 from Wasson High School in Colorado Springs and enrolled at OU in the fall of 2002 with a major in mechanical engineering.

Mr. Hinrichs was surprised to hear the terrible news of his son, the youngest of five children.

“We exchanged e-mails on an irregular basis, several in the last month, and nothing seemed out the ordinary,” he told AP.

“He was a very intelligent, very private individual who somehow lost the confidence that his life would be a good one. Obviously, every parent believes their son is a good kid, and I certainly believed that about mine.”

Hinrichs died while sitting on a bench in front of the George Lynn Cross Botany/Microbiology building. The building is on the oval’s east side, but the bench faced west toward the oval.

“There is no evidence given to me that anyone else is under suspicion,” Boren said.

The president also issued a letter addressing public safety that’s posted on OU’s Web site. The letter said, in part, “In light of the thorough nature of law enforcement efforts, we have determined it safe and appropriate to resume classes tomorrow, Monday, October 3, 2005. All classes will go forward as scheduled.”

Boren said the only damage done to buildings was a few broken windows in George Lynn Cross Hall.

The explosion happened shortly after 7:30 p.m. Saturday, within 100 yards of the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, filled with more than 84,000 fans watching the OU-Kansas State football game.

An early report of a second bomb was false, though there was a second explosion. Boren explained law enforcement officials found a backpack thought might have contained a bomb, so they used a small explosive device to blow it up. No bomb was found inside the backpack, and no explosive has been found since.

University police evacuated four Parkview Apartments buildings early Sunday morning, in the vicinity of Hinrich’s residence, to sweep the area of other explosives. Boren said Norman police also had people living in adjacent areas leave.

As of early Sunday evening, there were no reported findings of additional bombs, but also there was no exact timetable on when the 35 to 40 affected students would be allowed to return. Two male roommates leaving the apartments Sunday morning with one small suitcase each said they were told it would be a 24- to 48-hour wait.

The president would not comment on whether a suicide note was found, but he did say Hinrichs may not have intended to harm anyone else. No person was around when the bomb went off, and there could have been many casualties had the bomb detonated less than two hours earlier when the stadium area was filled with thousands of fans.

“We are saddened by the situation,” Boren said of Hinrichs’ death. “Clearly he was a bright student, but there were some serious personal problems.”

Boren said before each game, the stadium and its garage are sealed and checked extensively for bombs — a practice that started shortly after the 9/11 attacks. The stadium’s garage was swept again right after Saturday’s explosion, and the concession areas were checked after the second half began.

Meanwhile, the South Oval was taped off and had officers and deputies around its perimeter to keep people out.

The investigation that started with OUPD was turned over early Sunday morning to the FBI. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and the OU and Norman police departments are still working together on the investigation.

James S. Tyree

366-3539

jtyree@normantranscript.com

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