When you stay in a RV park for more than a week, you get to know your neighbors. That’s why the RVers of Zuni Village RV Park in Kingman, Arizona were shocked when newspapers reported “Bombs Found in RV Park!” Last week, police detonated bombs made inside a motorhome owned by a reclusive resident named Glenn Jones.
The bomb squad discovered and detonated numerous improvised explosive devices and also removed 40 pounds of bomb-making materials kept inside the RV. Photo courtesy of the Kingman Police Department.
Bomb Squad Detonates Over a Dozen Bombs Found in RV Park
On July 14 Kingman, Arizona, police arrived at Zuni Village to tell stunned residents that they needed to get out, fast. Experts arrived with a robot to search Jones’ 40-foot motorhome, after connecting Jones to two bomb blasts that occurred 24-hours earlier in the rural town of Panaca, Nevada, leaving one dead.
Once inside the RV, the bomb squad found and detonated numerous improvised explosive devices. They also removed 40 pounds of bomb-making materials kept inside the RV. Jones’ nearby storage unit may have also contained bomb-building ingredients.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that “A total of 15 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were located, of varying sizes and designs. During the scene processing, 10 of the IEDs were rendered safe in a vacant field just west of the RV park,” said deputy Kingman police chief Rusty Cooper. “The remaining five, larger, IEDs have been removed and will be detonated at another location.”
Later that day, Jones’ motorhome was towed away and the next day the park’s 100 residents were allowed back into the park. A follow up investigation by authorities revealed that Jones ignited a dual blast inside a home and a car in Panaca, then killed himself with a gun.
Jones’ motorhome being towed away. Photo courtesy of Kingman Police Department
Does Your RV Park Neighbor Have Mental Illness?
According to the Associated Press, Jones targeted the Panaca house because it belonged to two former co-workers. Back in Kingman, he was known as a quiet man who even cared for the elderly mother of another park resident. Although he had only been a resident of Zuni Village for six months, he apparently gave subtle clues to neighbors that something was amiss. In the months leading up to the bomb explosions, he:
- Told neighbors he was angry with his former employer.
- “…had a fascination with shells and all things military” said a resident.
- Was called “quiet and courteous but tormented” according to another neighbor.
- Jones admitted to being severely depressed.
- He suddenly gave away hundreds of dollars to a neighbor.
The Zuni Village RV Park in Kingman, AZ.
Nobody could have predicted that the military buff was making bombs inside his RV and putting his neighbors at risk. According to the American Psychiatric Association, Jones’ behaviors that neighbors described were classic signs of mental illness.
Had more Zuni Village RV Park residents recognized the signs, the best way to help Jones would have been to encourage him to seek counseling by a mental health professional.
As this interesting iRV2 discussion about safety, security and crime in RV parks shows, an incident such as the Kingman bomb scare can happen anywhere. Dangerous people in RV parks are no different than those living in traditional neighborhoods. The best way to avoid any hazard is to do what iRV2 Forums members suggest: be alert to your surroundings, watch for odd behaviors and if something doesn’t feel right, turn the key and leave.
Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
Wonder if his motorhome is for sale cheap. Such a waste of human life. What has the world done to these people?
What has the word done to YOU to imply that he is not responsible for his actions even IF he was a nut case. It’s gotten so that it’s everyone else’s fault except for our own.
It can be both and more. People can have a long history of child abuse and child molest and it will color every bit of their thinking, but Person A. will have the strength to carry on and live a productive life, person B will be broken inside, they hate and blame themselves for what was done to them, they develop self destructive habits like cutting and picking, drug and alcohol abuse, and then person C will be so damaged that they lash out at the world and people, and finally, person D. will be so damaged that they develop DID, (Disassociative Identity Disorder), and literally be unaware of what one or more of their personalities are doing. Persons A, B & C can be held accountable, they make choices. Person D. is insane and cannot be held criminally accountable, but must be assigned to a Locked Home for the mentally ill.
As to the last couple of generations of kids refusing to take blame, unless your child is perfect on that account, it would be wise not to throw stones from your glass house. I keep hearing this, but no parent fesses up. We are the baby boomers and those kids came from us. Now I know how I raised mine, and I was not raising children, I was raising adults.
The question of the existence of “free will” is debatable. If you’re lucky enough to be mellow and civilized, it’s easy to believe that you were smart and diciplined and made the right choices.
I am only .marginally above the line for gifted with an IQ at 132. What I think i AM gifted with is emotional strenth. i HAVE been persons A, B, and D throughout my entire 56 years. When I began having children I determined to be the mother I had always wanted for myself. I stuffed all of the pain WAY DOWN DEEP. I was going to be too busy raising my kids to adults to be dealing with it. I can’t recommend this, I blew like Mt Vesuvius when my last two were a teen and preteen and still living at home. Worst PTSD relapse ever. It was REALLY fvking hard on them, understatement, but my kids did have the strength to deal with it, and all are successful at life now, (we measure success in maturity and joy, not money), and HAPPY.
Why assume the world or someone has done anything to these people? Some folks are just evil, and others still just like to blame everyone else for their own problems.
Well said Cubby! Seems as if very few take responsibility for their own actions any more. In today’s world, we all need to relax and and vacation; but we also need to be constantly vigil. Many folks are afraid to say anything about anyone who seems to be a little off, or may be a threat for fear of being ‘racist/bigot/or paranoid’. If you see something, say something. Seems like there were many warning signs about this murdering nut-job. Don’t assume that your camping neighbor is there to have a good time just like you! We have had more than a few criminals that appear to be ‘camping’ in our local Desert areas, but are really out there to manufacture meth.
Good Point ! Many times in instances where terror is committed there is always someone that comes forward with .”I knew this about –” That is the wrong time to report ! Just as you say, Before,when uoy see or suspect !
He didn’t blame anyone. Your misinterpretation is telling, as well.
Agreed! I didn’t get the feeling he was placing blame, just wondering like the rest of us why there is so much more evil than there was decades ago. Don’t tell me it’s the population or the access to news. There is just more pure evil period.
Well said, my ex suffers from undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder and he won’t get help.
You are exactly correct. It is a major problem in this country. People are not raised anymore with a set of morals.
I was raised by 2 parents who taught me that you reap what you sew. You can’t blame everyone else for your failures and problems.
We have too many people like this in this country. Social media is also to blame with allot of these problems. By that I mean, there is very little social interaction (face to face) anymore!
Maybe this is why there is more evil than before. Poor parenting, social media and no morals. We are doomed 🙁
Actually, crime rate is down, reporting is up, leading to fear.
Also people want kids and keep their jobs and let someone else raise them, like at daycare. Those people don’t give a dam about your child or mine.
In so many cases its ” ABOUT THE MONEY ”
Don’t know if daycare works the same in the States as it does in Canada. I think that the woman should stay home, take on looking after 2, 3, or 4. kids then she would be the one that is raising and guiding her own children.
Its human nature, the child wants you to guide and lead them. Not some stranger. That’s a fact.
Actually you reap what you “sow” but, yeah: America’s moral compass is pointing the wrong direction lately.
“watch for odd behaviors and if something doesn’t feel right, turn the key and leave”????
Really? How about telling someone (the police) rather than just leaving it to others to deal with? People who just walk away when something like this is wrong are a part of the problem. You can still leave, but don’t just do that.
Police can’t do anything until something happens, or someone witnesses his bomb making or he tells someone. I am wondering how you suggest mental health counseling to someone like that. It’s scary because you think they might turn on you. Do you just say, “Glenn, I just met you, but you seem tormented. Have you considered mental health counseling?” Or do you call a local hotline and so what to do? Anybody have experience with this? We all need to learn this.
Did you ever hear of “see something, say something?” If people haven’t figured out that there are a lot of people who are dangerous in this country, they are delusional. If things someone seems “strange” CALL THE POLICE!!! It is not correct that the “police can’t do anything until something happens.” they certainly can. They can talk to the person and neighbors. If they have probable cause, they can get a search warrant. Police dogs can detect explosive material on the person or their vehicles. I can’t believe some of the comments on this article. . People with mental problems many times will not admit they anything wrong with them. The best way to protect yourself and the rest of this Country is to call the police whenever you don’t think something isn’t right. That’s what they are there for! False alarms are an everyday thing for police officers and firefighters. they will always tell you to call instead of ignoring something and hope it goes away. Better save than sorry!
that is a major over generalization…politicians are dangerous, BLM is dangerous, the KKK is dangerous, black panthers are dangerous, many social groups have been perverted for one or two persons personal vendettas….just look at the FBI and the AG both have been perverted, so they to are dangerous.
The real question is what made him pop? how was he treated? not saying that he himself is not responsible for all of his actions, but put enough pressure on someone and they will pop…it is a proven fact even the strongest have their breaking point. the question, the only question not asked so far in this little sob story is how far was he pushed? was it far enough that a normal person would break? more than likely he was just mentally weak with little reserves for dealing with personal rejection or personal failure, but you never know to you ask the questions and investigate…. How far would I need to push you? all it would take is your income suddenly drying up and your friends abandoning you, then we would know the reserves of your personal strength.
Well said, Ken, very well said!
I’d be making a half dozen calls most days, If I reported everyone appearing strange in my neighborhood… plus there’d be an occasional need to self-report.
Yes call the local Police. Don’t just turn the key. Report strange behavior. What we call a Code 20. Save a decent life by doing so.
No, The police won’t do anything. I had a known paranoid schizophrenic living next door to me when I was a young woman with a baby. She was writing letters to another neighbor telling him that I was an enemy agent from another planet, that I was dangerous and must be killed. The letters kept coming right up until the point where she gave him explicit directions on how my baby and I should be tied and our throats cut. The police read these and said their hands were tied until she actually hurt me.
So tell me again how useful the police are. I finally had to move out.
My experience with mentally ill people is that they can’t be reasoned with & if you even dare mention a problem you
Put yourself & your family in danger.
There are hotlines & anonymous tip lines for dealing with this.
Unfortunately, things have to be very scary for someone to report this kind of behavior…after all, you never really know about “nut jobs”…dangerous/not dangerous.
My father was mentally ill (WWII vet) & kept our family traumatized his entire older life. I’m ashamed to say it was a relief when he died & hadn’t hurt anyone….he did lots of threatening (never threatened the family).
Just as people are not all the same, not every mental illness is the same. Lois I have been struggling with PTSD since 1979. I have lived most of my life fairly normally. I volunteered and worked for schools and Cub, Girl, and Boy Scouts for over 20 years. If you had ever met me, you never would have known that I was struggling with mental illness at all. I have retired from full time work now and currently volunteer counseling other Veterans who are struggling with PTSD.
Please don’t lump all mentally ill people into one basket. I very assuredly CAN be reasoned with, and so can many many others.
Kingman is where Timothy Mcvee practiced building bombs before Ok. City.
We camped next to a couple of nut jobs, and told the campground managers about it. The mgrs. moved us within several days, and then evicted the nut jobs. The last I knew, the nut jobs were camping (free) on the beach.
Reading this article, it’s hard to see why anyone would call the police about this guy. He fits the description of millions of other people who may or may not be mentally ill or criminal.
Of course, if you see something more concrete, then the police should be called to investigate. Just showing up at the door is enough to deter some people from planning and committing violent acts..
Not everyone is aware of vitamin deficiencies they may have, or thyroid deficiencies. Boost your b12 and d3, don’t expect it to happen overnight…. research it.
Be vigilant, but not everyone who is a little different from your beliefs needs to be tossed out of a campground. Use discretion before you act in haste…. it’s a sad world we live in now.
This is by far the most intelligent response I’ve seen regarding this unfurtunate matter.
I agree with this. Some people have a high need for certain nutrients, most esecpially b vitamins. Poor thyroid function is often indicated in bi polar disorder and depression. As well, many American diets due to their high processed and refined food content are suspect in many illnesses.
However, I also concur with a number of the views posted in this thread. There are a number of the mentally ill living on my street and while most of them mind their own business and don’t bother anyone, some are quite scary and threatening. I feel badly for the user who’d posted about her schizophrenic neighbor who had been so threatening. I don’t blame you for having to finally move for your own safety.
There is only one, 1, ONE deficiency that would cause a severe enough mental illness as to have someone making bombs.
Cholesterol deficiency. In it’s extremist form it causes schizophrenia.
Americans do not generally have this problem. AND, human bodies create their own cholesterol, in their liver. We eat more than enough fat to make this possible.
I have never before read the comments following an article and did not really expect such an interesting conversation about an all too unfortunate trend in our society. No one however mentioned drug use, prescription and illegal, as a cause for much strange behavior. Which leads to the next conversation of state by state we’re expanding what is deemed to be legal. To me expanding upon what is deemed legal seems to be a REALLY bad idea.
On the who do we Report and when, a simple “better to be safe than sorry” would seem to be a good rule of thumb.. I’ve been in the legal profession for almost 50 years, and 50 years ago I was rarely dealing with anyone who seemed mentally unstable. Now it’s a daily occurrence.
You’re not really insinuating that the legalization of marijuana is going to lead to more crazy people making bombs and killing their neighbors are you? Because that would be asinine. More widespread use of marijuana is a million times more like to result in higher consumption of Doritos and Twinkies than anything violent, deranged or dangerous.
See something, say something!
I like that !!!
The National Institute of Mental Health says almost 7% of American adults have depression. I’m betting that number goes up as we age due to loss of loved ones and physical ailments. I know quite a few friends who take their “happy pills” everyday. Calling mental illness just a lack of character or morals or a way of blaming others is not a very knowledgeable view. I agree that knowing what to do, especially when the person is not someone we have known for a long time is difficult. Especially in these economic times where not only retired folks but middle aged people are taking to being full time RVers. The saying “See something, say something” is still wise. But sometimes just a little brotherly kindness is welcome. Of course you have to make the judgement on that. But those true recluses probably won’t visit with you anyways. Luckily for us, most of the folks we meet in RV parks are very friendly and usually ready to “chew the fat” with a fellow traveler. But keeping ones eyes open is always the wisest advice of all.
Sometimes people do lose it for various reasons..i would hope that if someone has problems or is feeling that might lose it, that they would seek help instead of targeting those around them. Those explosives could have leveled the park and that in itself is scary. i am just curious where he was able to obtain these things in this day and age with all the terrorist activity you hear about.
“See something say something” is always a good rule of thumb. Having a family history of good moral values gives us a leg up in life. However, we have become a nation that puts ourselves before everyone and eveverything else. Which seem within ourselves to be the right thing to do. But, in the process this idealism weakens faith and ultimately destroys respect for self and others.
Not in any defense of this guy or people like him but where this article fails, is in clearly creating a link between the first paragraph which reads “…connecting Jones to two bomb blasts that occurred 24-hours earlier in the rural town of Panaca, Nevada, leaving one dead.” and the last paragraph “A follow up investigation by authorities revealed that Jones ignited a dual blast inside a home and a car in Panaca, then killed himself with a gun.”
Connecting Jones to the dual bomb blasts in Panaca leaving one dead means on the follow up investigation, Jones was the one dead. Not from either of the two explosions but from a self inflicted gunshot.
So other than Jones himself, there was no “victim” killed by him in either of the dual bomb blasts he set off.
Just to be clear. Still doesn’t negate the article’s point in knowing who your neighbors are and reporting anything strange to the proper authorities. Who knows? Maybe those explosions in Panaca were precursors and his internal demons got to him before his obsessions killed anyone. We could only hope.
You are correct Mark, the bomber was the only one who died in the Panaca blasts. Thanks for the eagle eye.