NICHOLAS CLAYTON, Associated Press
JOHN HANNA, Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 20-year-old Kansas man charged with plotting a suicide bombing at Fort Riley struck others as strange and even troubled.

But some of John T. Booker Jr.’s acquaintances didn’t see the side of him that FBI informants did.

Instead, acquaintances saw a young man who discussed his faith as a Muslim or debated Islamic philosophy at the Topeka mosque he attended.

Booker told a confidante who was in fact an FBI informant six months ago that he wasn’t liked at his mosque because he expressed support for the terrorist group al-Qaida. Imam Omar Hazim said such views would have gotten him barred.

A college student who knew Booker in high school said Saturday that while Booker regularly discussed and defended his faith, he didn’t make radical statements.

Highs in the 70’s today with southerly winds around 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Tonight scattered showers and thunderstorms, which last until late Sunday morning. A few storms may produce small hail. A cold front brings additional storms to the area Sunday afternoon and last through about midnight. A few of these storms may be strong with hail and gusty winds possible.

Today: Mostly sunny. Highs around 72. South winds 5 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Chance of thunderstorms in the evening…then thunderstorms likely after midnight. Lows around 55. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs around 75. South winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. A 50 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s. West winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the north 5 to 10 mph after midnight.

Monday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Monday Night And Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. Highs in the upper 60s.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 40s.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 40s.

Thursday: Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s.

Thursday Night And Friday: Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the upper 60s.

 

NICHOLAS CLAYTON, Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The imam of a Topeka mosque says a 20-year-old man accused of planning a suicide attack at Fort Riley was mentally ill and was brought to the mosque by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for counseling.

Imam Omar Hazim of the Islamic Center of Topeka said Friday that the FBI brought John T. Booker Jr. to him in early 2014.

Hazim said he met with Booker once or twice a month and gave him rides regularly to the mosque and work. He said the FBI told him Booker suffered from bipolar disorder, characterized by unusual mood shifts.

An FBI spokeswoman did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.

Hazim said he questioned Booker on Tuesday, and Booker acknowledged stopping medication. Booker was arrested in the plot Friday.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A second man is facing a criminal charge in connection with what authorities say was a plot to plant a bomb near Kansas military base to help the Islamic State group.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Friday that 28-year-old Alexander E. Blair, of Topeka, is charged with one count of failing to report a felony.

A criminal complaint filed Friday alleges Blair knew about a plot by 20-year-old Topeka resident John T. Booker Jr. to detonate a bomb at Fort Riley.

Booker was arrested Friday while trying to arm what he thought was 1,000-pound bomb outside the Army post. He faces three charges, including attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.

The complaint said federal agents interviewed Blair immediately after Booker’s arrest.

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A controlled burn at Rock Springs Ranch Friday afternoon got out of control and Geary County Rural Firefighters responded.

Garry Berges, Rural Fire Chief explained that Rock Springs Ranch personnel were conducting a controlled burn early Friday afternoon when they lost control of it.

“Around 3:30 p.m. Friday they gave a call to 911 and reported their fire was out of control and they were in need of assistance,” said Berges. “Geary County sent four trucks and eight personnel that way. We also requested that Woodbine Fire come and assist and they responded with two trucks and four personnel to assist.”

Crews were on scene for approximately an hour and a half. Berges reported that the majority of the fire remained on Rock Springs Ranch property, but some of the neighboring land may have gone up in smoke as well.

No injuries or damage were reported.

JOHN HANNA, Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 20-year-old Kansas man accused of planning a suicide attack at Fort Riley has waived his right to a detention hearing, meaning he’ll remain jailed on federal charges.

Federal prosecutors say John Booker Jr., of Topeka, was arrested Friday while trying to arm what he thought was a 1,000-pound bomb near the Kansas military base. Prosecutors say he told an FBI informant that he wanted to kill Americans and engage in violent jihad on behalf of the Islamic State group.

The soft-spoken Booker made his first court appearance later Friday in Topeka. He answered basic questions and corrected the spelling of his alias, Muhammad Abdullah Hassan.

Prosecutors say they’ll take the case to a grand jury next week.
His public defender, Kirk Redmond, declined comment after the brief hearing.

Jim Clark Chevrolet in Junction City will be delivering a brand new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado to Sgt. Jon Thompson and his family next Tuesday.

Willie Thornberg, Jim Clark Chevrolet General Manager explained that Jon was recently deployed to Afghanistan but returned in December to surprise his wife Liz and young daughter Reese during halftime of the annual Army vs Navy football game.

“Reese and her mom Liz were invited to join General Motors in their suite and watch that football game as a show of our appreciation for the military and their families,” said Thornberg. “Little did Liz know, but they had arranged to bring Sergeant Thompson back from Afghanistan. During the halftime ceremony Liz was on the field and they presented her with the keys of a new Colorado, and in the Colorado was her husband Jonathan.”

General Motors partnered with the Wish for our Heroes organization to present the truck to the Thompson’s who were chosen to receive the truck after losing there home on Fort Riley last year due to a house fire.

 

Governor Sam Brownback today issued a statement following an arrest made by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.

“I appreciate the diligence of the FBI and members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, including the Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Bureau of Investigation, for working together to successfully thwart this potential attack. The state has worked hard to enhance the collaborative efforts of local, state and federal partners in matters of homeland security and to protect Kansans.

“The investigation is ongoing and today’s arrest serves as a reminder that even here in America’s heartland we must remain vigilant against threats to our nation.”

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts also released a statement.

“I want to strongly commend the FBI and other agencies whose excellent work has averted a disaster. It is another example of why we Americans must be ever vigilant.”

 

NICHOLAS CLAYTON, Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The father of a 20-year-old man accused of planning a suicide attack at Fort Riley says he’s glad authorities arrested his son and no one was hurt.

Federal prosecutors say John Booker Jr. was arrested Friday while trying to arm what he thought was a 1,000-pound bomb near the Kansas military base. He’s being held on federal charges.

His father, John Booker Sr., told The Associated Press that his son moved out of the family’s Topeka home after high-school graduation. He’s spoken to him four times in the last year.

He says he and his wife are Christian, and he doesn’t know whether his son was Muslim.

The elder Booker says he’s an Army veteran and he did everything a father should do. He says once children turn 18, “parents have no control.”

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Federal prosecutors have charged a 20-year-old Kansas man with planning a suicide bomb attack against Fort Riley in an alleged plot to support the Islamic State group.

John T. Booker of Topeka was charged Friday with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, attempting to damage property by means of an explosive and attempting to provide material support to the terrorist group.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom says Booker was arrested Friday near Manhattan, Kansas, about 100 miles west of Kansas City. Grissom didn’t elaborate on the arrest.

A FBI agent says there was no breach at the military base.

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Federal prosecutors have announced an arrest in a case involving a “national security matter.”

A news conference was planned for 11:30 a.m. Friday at the federal courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas, to discuss charges in the case. U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom and an FBI special agent will talk to the media at the event.

A news release from Grissom’s office said the arrest was made Friday morning, but no other details were immediately provided.

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Federal prosecutors have announced an arrest in a case involving a “national security matter.”

A news conference was planned for 11:30 a.m. Friday at the federal courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas, to discuss charges in the case. U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom and an FBI special agent will talk to the media at the event.

A news release from Grissom’s office said the arrest was made Friday morning, but no other details were immediately provided.

 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Federal prosecutors have announced an arrest in a case involving a “national security matter.”

A news conference was planned for 11:30 a.m. Friday at the federal courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas, to discuss charges in the case. U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom and an FBI special agent will talk to the media at the event.

A news release from Grissom’s office said the arrest was made Friday morning, but no other details were immediately provided.