On Wednesday morning, April 19, at approximately nine o'clock ED time, a Ryder rental truck packed with roughly 1200 pounds of explosives detonated outside of the Alfred P. Murrah Building, a nine-story federal office building in Oklahoma City. Among other services, it housed a day-care center, as well as the offices of the Social Security Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, Small Business Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Secret Service. As many as 550 people work in the building, and authorities estimate the final death toll to rise above 200.
   At first, Middle Eastern radical groups were suspected, due to the physical nature of the bomb. In fact, one television station reported a phone call from a member of the Nation of Islam who claimed responsibility, but the claim was later denied by the group. There was also speculation that the bombing might be linked to the fatal raid of the Waco Compound, as the explosion happened on the two-year anniversary of the raid. However, by late afternoon Friday, FBI agents charged Timothy McVeigh with the bombing after local authorities detained him only one and a half hours after the blast. The original charges were speeding and possession of a concealed, loaded firearm.
   Also in custody are two of his associates, brothers Terry and James Nichols. All three are members of the Michigan Militia, a right-wing group claiming 12,000 members, who oppose strong government and gun control as well as other issues. However, according to representatives of the Militia, the suspects were removed prior to the bombing because they were "too radical." Another suspect, "John Doe 2," is still at large.
   Soon after the incident, Attorney General Janet Reno offered a two million dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators. She further assured the country that, once in custody, they would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Since the case involves the "bombing of a federal building in which death occurred," the alleged home-grown terrorists will face the death penalty if convicted. Services in memorandum were held last Sunday, April 23. President Clinton attended the service and declared a national day of mourning.