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Suspected Mail Bomber Has Ties To Charlotte Area

A look at one of the bomb packages sent to prominent Democrats and critics of President Trump.
FBI
A look at one of the bomb packages sent to prominent Democrats and critics of President Trump.

The Florida man authorities arrested who is suspected of mailing several bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of President Donald J. Trump has ties to the Charlotte area.

Public records show the suspect, identified as Cesar Sayoc Jr., 56, lived in the city in the year 2000. Sayoc also attended UNC Charlotte from 1983 to 1984 and played soccer for the university for one season, university officials confirmed. 

FBI special agents arrested Sayoc in South Florida, a law enforcement official confirmed to NPR. Sayoc has a criminal record and public records connected him with an address in Davie, Fla.

FBI and other investigators surrounded a white van in a parking lot in Plantation, Fla., on Friday morning believed to be connected to the case; their inspection was shown live on cable TV and the van was loaded onto a flatbed truck.

Trump hailed law enforcement agencies in a statement at the White House and condemned the prospective threats to political leaders.

"These terrorizing acts are despicable and have no place in our country," he said. "We must never allow political violence to take root in America. We cannot let it happen."