Election Day suicide bombing thwarted

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Paul Rosenfeld, 56, wanted to kill himself to draw attention to his “radical political beliefs,” authorities said.

Rosenfeld allegedly supported a political belief called sortition, which advocates for random selection of government officials. He bought large quantities black powder over the internet to build a large bomb in his basement, authorities said. He had previously made and tested other small bombs, according to authorities.

When FBI agent searched his home after getting a tip from a concerned citizen, they found “what appeared to be a functional explosive device weighing approximately 200 pounds.”

The bomb was removed from his home and transported to a safe location, officials said. A law enforcement source tells CBS News’ Pat Milton that the device would have been capable of causing injury and possible death to others, particularly in a crowded area.

According to the criminal complaint, Rosenfeld sent letters and text messages in August and September to someone in Pennsylvania outlining his plan.