Crime
Bomb Threat Forces Closure of I-85 in Greenville County, South Carolina
Suspect involved in I-85 bomb threat identified as Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi
UPDATE: Authorities have identified the driver who threatened to have a bomb after being pulled over on I-85 in Greenville, South Carolina on Thursday as Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi.
He is from Oak Lawn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in Cook County.
Jail records show Alhendi has a an ICE detainer, also known as an “immigration hold” from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
ICE lodges immigration detainers after establishing probable cause to believe that a noncitizen is removable โ typically after a court has convicted them of one or more crimes โ and typically when the noncitizen poses a public safety or national security threat.
Locally, the South Carolina State Translort Police charged Alhendi with the following:
โขCONVEY FALSE INFO ABOUT A BOMB THREAT
โขOPERATING/PERMITTING UNREGISTERED VEHICLE
โขBREACH OF PEACE: HIGH/AGGRAVATED NATURE
On January 2, 2025, at approximately 2:45 p.m., a SC State Transport Police officer initiated a traffic stop on a tractor-trailer on I-85 in Greenville County, due to a missing license plate on the trailer.
During the traffic stop near mile-marker 44, SCHP said the driver, a man from Illinois, indicated that there was an explosive device inside the commercial vehicle.
All six lanes of I-85 were shut down as the threat was investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, SLED, and the FBI.
No explosive devices were found and all lanes of I-85 were reopened at approximately 7:40 p.m.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
The Greenville County Sheriffโs Office confirmed that one individual has been taken into custody after a suspicious package was discovered on Interstate 85 on Thursday afternoon.
The incident caused a significant traffic backup near Exit 44 at White Horse Road in Greenville, prompting officials to block all lanes of I-85 in the area as of 5:25 p.m.
According to Greenville County dispatch, the situation involved a tractor-trailer stopped during a traffic inspection.
The South Carolina State Transport Police (STP) requested assistance after the discovery, and deputies, along with members of the SWAT and Bomb Squad, quickly responded to the scene.
Additional support was provided by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) bomb squad and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as the investigation intensified.
Officials have urged the public to avoid the area while the investigation is ongoing.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) reported severe traffic congestion as a result of the incident. SCDOT has issued detailed detour instructions for drivers traveling in both directions on I-85:
I-85 Northbound Detour
- Exit at mile marker 40 and turn left onto SC 153.
- Continue on SC 153 (Brown Road) to SC 20 (Piedmont Highway) and turn left.
- Travel on Piedmont Highway to Bracken Road and turn left onto Bracken Road.
- Proceed to US 25 (Augusta Road), turn left, and travel north to SC 291.
- Re-enter I-85 Northbound at mile marker 46.
I-85 Southbound Detour
- Exit at mile marker 46 (SC 291) and turn left onto SC 291.
- Travel south to US 25 (Augusta Road), then turn right onto Bracken Road.
- Follow Bracken Road to SC 20 (Piedmont Highway) and continue to Brown Road (SC 153).
- From SC 153, re-enter I-85 Southbound at mile marker 40.
To ease congestion and expedite traffic flow, SCDOT has temporarily lifted tolls on the Southern Connector toll road.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster acknowledged the incident on social media, urging residents to follow local updates and exercise caution in the affected area.
This is a developing situation, and further updates will be provided as authorities continue their investigation. Travelers are encouraged to plan alternate routes and monitor official channels for the latest information.
Crime
Who Is the Hero Teacher, Threw a Phone at Gunman John J. Griffin II, Tackled Him, and Fought Back During the Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting?
Another Unamed Hero in Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting: Teacher throwing phone at gunman Griffin J. John II who attacked , tackling him and fighting him.
Anyone Know Her Name? She Must Be Praised Just Like Kaylub Giamanco
BEND, Oregon โ Becky Drury, a 54-year-old teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, sustained serious injuries during the deadly school shooting on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Drury suffered gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand and underwent surgery, according to the information shared about the incident.
As Drury begins what could be a lengthy recovery, new details have also emerged about the reported actions of another teacher who allegedly confronted the gunman during the attack. According to the account attributed to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz during a press conference, the unidentified teacher threw a phone at the suspect, tackled him, and fought back.
The teacher reportedly escaped the confrontation without physical injuries. Officials were said to have clarified that earlier information suggesting the teacher had been injured was incorrect.
Drury was among those injured in the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. She sustained injuries to her left arm and right hand and required surgery.
Although the injuries were described as serious, the information provided indicates that she survived the operation. Her recovery may involve additional medical treatment, rehabilitation, and emotional support as she works to recover from the traumatic experience.
Her family, colleagues, students, and community members are hoping for her continued improvement and a successful recovery.
The shooting has left the school community dealing with grief, fear, and uncertainty. For those injured, the challenges extend beyond immediate medical care, as they and their loved ones face the psychological and emotional consequences of the violence.
Additional details attributed to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz describe the actions of another Silver Rail Elementary School teacher who reportedly confronted the gunman during the attack.
According to the account provided, the unidentified teacher threw a phone at the suspect, tackled him, and physically fought back. The teacher was reportedly not injured, contrary to earlier information about the confrontation.
The teacher’s reported actions have drawn attention because confronting an armed attacker can involve extraordinary personal risk. However, the precise sequence of events and the extent to which the confrontation affected the outcome should be established through official statements and investigative findings.
The teacher’s identity has not been provided in the supplied information. Protecting that person’s privacy may be particularly important while the school community and those directly involved continue to process the incident.
The supplied account also identifies Kaylub Giamanco as the person who reportedly shot and killed the suspect during the incident.
The suspect has been identified in earlier reports as John J. Griffin II, a 16-year-old. However, the exact spelling and order of the suspect’s name should be confirmed against official law enforcement records before publication.
The reported intervention by Giamanco and the actions attributed to the unidentified teacher are separate aspects of the developing account. Their precise roles and the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death should be described using verified statements from investigators.
As Becky Drury faces recovery, messages of support and prayers are being shared for her and everyone affected by the shooting.
Teachers and school staff often play a central role in supporting children, particularly during frightening and uncertain situations. The reported actions of Drury’s colleague have prompted expressions of appreciation, although the full circumstances should be confirmed before drawing definitive conclusions about what happened.
The emotional impact of a school shooting can continue long after the immediate danger has passed. Survivors, families, students, educators, and first responders may need access to counseling, mental health resources, and other forms of assistance.
Community support may also help families and injured staff members manage medical costs, time away from work, and other practical challenges during recovery.
The Silver Rail Elementary School shooting has left the Bend community confronting profound loss and uncertainty. As families mourn those who died, attention is also turning to the survivors who must navigate the difficult process of healing.
Becky Drury’s recovery remains an important concern for her loved ones and colleagues. The unidentified teacher who reportedly confronted the gunman may also need emotional support after experiencing such a traumatic event, even without physical injuries.
Prayers and support are being extended to Becky Drury, her family, the teacher who reportedly intervened, and every student, family, and staff member affected by the tragedy.