Lynnwood Bomb Injures 2

LYNNWOOD - Two men were injured this morning, one seriously, when a pipe bomb exploded at an auto-wrecking office in Lynnwood.

The bomb, which went off about 7:20 a.m. in the office of Ferrill's Auto Parts, was in a liquor box with a ribbon on it and was left in the mailbox of the business, according to Lynnwood Police Chief Larry Kalsbeek.

The owner, Steve Ferrill, 44, suffered hand and abdominal injuries and was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he was reported in satisfactory condition late this morning.

An employee of the company and Ferrill's stepson, Jim Miller, 27, suffered superficial back injuries, authorities said. He was taken to Stevens Memorial Hospital in Edmonds, where he was reported in satisfactory condition.

The owner's son, Steve Jr., found the gift in the mailbox at the business, 18306 Highway 99, Kalsbeek said. The owner's son brought the package inside the office, Kalsbeek said.

He then left and the owner may have been opening the box when the device went off, Kalsbeek said.

The device exploded with enough force that windows were blown out, and bomb fragments shot through the door and landed in the parking lot of the business across Highway 99, Kalsbeek said.

``It was not a massive explosion, but it certainly was enough to do substantial damage,'' he said.

Traffic on Highway 99 was halted for about five minutes as Lynnwood police officers combed the streets and searched other mailboxes for clues.

The package apparently was not addressed and authorities do not believe it was sent through the Postal Service, but was left at the business. Kalsbeek said authorities still are looking for a motive.

``We have no idea whether it was a disgruntled customer'' or someone unrelated to the business, or even

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Bomb apparently a first for Lynnwood

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who the intended victim was, he said.

Lynnwood police and federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are investigating the incident.

``Lynnwood has its fair share of crime,'' Kalsbeek said, but ``this is not something they deal with on a daily basis.'' In fact, police and fire officials can't remember any bomb that had been detonated in the city.

Neighboring business owners say they can't understand why anyone would want to hurt the Ferrills, whose business is one of the oldest in Lynnwood.

``They are respected members of the community,'' said Mark Meinhardt, who manages Bent Bike Inc. across the street. ``They run a real tight ship.''

Lynnwood Police Officer Neil Knight said he has known the family for years.

``They're active in everything here,'' he said. ``You can't ask for a nicer bunch of people.''

-- Times staff reporters Diane Brooks and Dave Birkland contributed to this report.