Church pipe bomb suspect confesses

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A man accused of throwing a pipe bomb into a Buffalo church faced a judge.

28-year-old Richard Blonski was arrested by ATF agents earlier this week.

Investigators say he admitted throwing a pipe bomb into the Redeeming Fire Fellowship Church on Lewis Street last Saturday night.

His attorney is requesting a delay in his detention hearing. It is now been scheduled for July 20th.

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28-year-old Richard Blonski of Buffalo, confessed to throwing a pipe bomb into a Buffalo church Saturday night.

Redeeming Fire Fellowship Church Pastor David Keaton said, "This is the stuff of movies. I never would've dreamed that a pipe bomb would be in my front yard."

Pastor Keaton thanks God the pipe bomb didn't explode, but rather burned out when it was thrown through a glass door to the Redeeming Fire Fellowship Church.

Authorities tell News 4 tips from the community led them to the suspect's two homes only a block from the church.

Assistant United States Attorney Richard Maigret said, "(It was) a lot of hard investigation on the ATFs part and on the Buffalo Fire Marshals part."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued the search warrants and found a hooded red sweatshirt, just like the one witnesses saw the suspect wearing, 140 bottle rocket guides with the explosive tops missing, and other bomb making material.

They found Blonski at this home in Kaisertown and he later confessed to the bombing. He said, "I do not know why I put the pipe bomb into the church. I did not target the church because they were black. I think I did it because I'm mad at myself. I'm not going anywere in life. I have addiction to pills and alcohol. I feel like I'm a failure to my girl and my kids."

Blonski was charged with illegally possessing and making a pipe bomb, and federal arson charges are pending.

Pastor Keaton said, "That's not a representation of anyone in that community. We knew that it was probably an isolated event and I'm very grateful that they captured the person."

Blonski is due back in federal court for a detention hearing. The U.S. Attorney's Office says it will ask that he be held without bail because he is an obvious risk to the community.