A GBI bomb squad expert (just left of center) suited up to set off a small charge to disarm the suspected device. Investigators from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, and the BATF are continuing to investigate last week's discovery of a suspected bomb in a Tignall neighborhood.

The bomb disposal squad from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to Wilkes County last Wednesday, June 3, after an unrelated search turned up suspected explosive material in the bed of a pickup truck in Tignall.

Gary Nicholson, special agent in-charge of the region office, said, "It was a powerful explosive device, capable of blowing up the pickup truck and damaging other areas, too," he said.

Sheriff Mark Moore said that the discovery was made subsequent to the arrest of convicted drug dealer Tony Harris on a Federal probation warrant. Harris lived at a home on Church Street in Tignall, and while on the property deputies noticed a suspected explosive device, he said. The Wilkes County Sheriff's office contacted the GBI. Tignall Police, Tignall Fire Department, and Washington's Rescue 2 also responded to the scene, and Church Street and several surrounding blocks were blocked to traffic.

By 11:30, a bomb disposal technician had suited up and set off a small charge to disarm the suspected device, and a second technician set off a second to ensure it was safe. The device was then transported by the GBI for disposal.

The property was thoroughly searched to ensure that no other dangerous material remained on the property in the quiet Tignall neighborhood.

State and federal agents, along with county investigators, were on the scene of the disposal interviewing the owner of the truck Wednesday afternoon. This week, investigators are continuing to look into the connection between Tony Harris and the explosive device, but were not available for comment at press time.