Crime & Safety

Second Suspect Arrested in Movie Theater 'Bottle Bomb' Incidents

Fairfax County officials charged second suspect Sunday with several felonies.

Mary Ann Barton, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department fire investigators said Monday morning they have charged a second suspect in the movie theater "bottle bomb" incidents.

Michael Hollingsworth, 23, was charged Sunday by Fairfax County officials with three felonies in connection with multiple Improvised Explosive Device explosions at several theaters within the Tyson's AMC theater complex recently, according to a news release Monday from fire officials.

Specifically, Hollingsworth was charged with:

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  • three counts of 18.2-85, create, possess, or use a bomb/explosive; 
  • three counts of 18.2-79, arson of an occupied public building; 
  • three counts of 18.2-46.6, use/sell, gives, or manufactures a weapon used for a terrorist act

Hollingsworth was also charged in Prince George's County for similar offenses and is being held in the Prince George's County Adult Detention Center.

The first suspect in the regional bombing incidents, Manuel Bell Joyner, was charged in multiple jurisdictions and is also being held in the Prince George's County Detention Center.

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Hollingsworth, 23, of Takoma Park, was taken into custody Friday in the Glenn Dale area by the Prince George’s County Police Department after warrants were obtained by the Office of the Fire Marshal.

Timeline

#1: Saturday, April 5, 1:15 a.m.: AMC Hoffman Center 22, 206 Swamp Fox Road, in Alexandria, Va.
#2. Sunday, May 18, before 1 a.m.: AMC Tyson's Corner 16, McLean, Va. About 2,000 people were evacuated from all 16 theaters.
#3. Sunday, May 25, 1:40 a.m.: AMC Magic Johnson Capital Center 12 in Largo, Md.
#4. Sunday, May 25, 2:15 a.m.: AMC Tyson's Corner 16, McLean, Va. 

Hollingsoworth has also been charged with two felony crimes for his connection with the May 24 attack at the Magic Johnson Theatres in Largo.  

The agencies involved in this investigation include the Prince George's County Office of the Fire Marshal, Prince George's County Police, ATF, FBI, Anne Arundel County Fire Marshal and County Police, Fairfax County Fire Marshal, City of Alexandria Fire Marshal and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal.
Hollingsworth was remanded to the Prince George's County Department of Corrections and is being held without Bond.

The investigation into the "bottle bomb" incidents remains open and ongoing.

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