Bloomington Mosque Bombing: Three Illinois Men Charged

BLOOMINGTON, MN – The Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, was targeted in a brazen act of violence back on August 5, 2017, when a pipe bomb was hurled through a window, causing extensive damage. Now, nearly six years later, federal authorities say they’ve finally identified the men responsible: MICHAEL MCWHORTER, 29, JOE MORRIS, 22, and MICHAEL B. HARI, 47, all hailing from Clarence, Illinois.

U.S. Attorney Gregory G. Brooker announced today that all three men have been charged with arson in connection with the bombing. The charges stem from a federal criminal complaint filed in the District of Minnesota. The affidavit details how the explosive device, constructed from PVC pipe, detonated inside the mosque, leaving a trail of destruction. The investigation remained cold for years until a confidential source came forward on January 27, 2018, pointing the finger at this trio.

Currently, MCWHORTER, MORRIS, and HARI are in custody in Urbana, Illinois. MORRIS and HARI appeared in federal court earlier today before Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long in U.S. District Court in Urbana, Illinois, to face charges related to an attempted bombing in Champaign, Illinois – suggesting this wasn’t their first foray into violence. MCWHORTER is scheduled to make his initial appearance regarding the Illinois incident at a later date. The connection between the Champaign attempt and the Bloomington bombing remains under tight wraps.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation took the lead on this complex investigation, painstakingly gathering evidence and tracking down leads. While authorities remain tight-lipped about the specifics of the confidential source’s information, it clearly broke the case wide open after years of silence. Sources within the FBI tell Grimy Times the investigation involved extensive surveillance and forensic analysis of the bomb fragments.

Assistant United States Attorneys Julie E. Allyn and John F. Docherty are prosecuting the case. Each defendant – MICHAEL B. HARI, JOE MORRIS, and MICHAEL MCWHORTER – is currently charged with a single count of arson. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota (612) 664-5600 has confirmed the charges, but stresses that this is just the beginning of the legal process.

It’s critical to remember that the charges contained in the criminal complaint are merely allegations. MCWHORTER, MORRIS, and HARI are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the bombing of a place of worship represents a grave offense, and Grimy Times will continue to follow this case closely as it unfolds. More details are available on our website.