Car Bomb Victim Linked To Crips, Investigators Say

Federal investigators are tracking various leads in a north Spokane car bombing, including the victim’s extensive criminal record.

A pipe bomb “definitely capable of causing death or injury” exploded inside a 1985 Dodge Colt at 3:45 a.m. Sunday, said Robert Harper of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The car belongs to William L. and Tina Mitchell, who live in an apartment complex at 2900 N. Stone, where the explosion occurred.

Hours afterward, William Mitchell said he didn’t have a clue who might be responsible. He also said he doesn’t know anyone in Spokane, a statement neighbors and investigators contradicted Monday.

Harper said ATF investigators are looking at Mitchell’s record and know he has used 20 aliases and has notched six felony convictions.

Pierce County court records show that from 1989 to 1993, Mitchell was convicted twice of theft and possessing stolen cars. He also was convicted of burglary and forgery.

ATF agents are examining Mitchell’s possible gang ties from Tacoma, where he used to live.

He has no known gang involvement in Spokane, authorities say.

Tacoma police said Monday that Mitchell “is a known associate” of the Hilltop Crips gang, said spokeswoman Corina Hopkins.

Efforts to reach Mitchell, 25, on Monday were unsuccessful.

Spokane police spokesman Dick Cottam said police here have had “encounters” with Mitchell. He refused to elaborate.

Other questions investigators are examining include:

Whether the crime was racially motivated. Mitchell is black and his wife is white.

Whether the bomb was placed in the wrong car and may have been intended for someone else with ties to motorcycle gangs.

Whether the bombing was related to drug or gang activity.

Mitchell and his wife were scheduled for interviews Monday by a team of ATF agents who impounded the couple’s destroyed car for evidence. It isn’t known whether his car, which was destroyed, was insured.

“We found pieces of galvanized pipe,” said Harper. “It now appears that a pipe bomb was placed inside the car.”

Mitchell said he had left the car doors locked after picking up a gallon of milk on Saturday evening and returning home.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: BYLINE = Bill Morlin Staff writer Staff writer Dan Hansen contributed to this report.