Bombing Of Aide Not Politically Motivated

A mail bomb that partially exploded in the apartment of a senator’s aide, injuring him slightly, was not politically motivated, a federal official said Saturday.

Will Smith, who works for Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., received minor cuts to his hands and face when he opened the package about 7 p.m. Friday in his apartment in northwest Washington.

Patrick Hynes, a spokesman for the the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said the bomb was not associated with anti-government sentiment, the so-called Unabomber or the recent Oklahoma City bombing.

A Washington television station, WUSA-TV, said authorities want to talk to a man thought to be a rival for the affections of Smith’s girlfriend.