Federal authorities have charged Ervin Lee Bolling, a U.S. Navy veteran, with destroying government property for ramming an SUV into a barrier at the front gate of the FBI’s Atlanta office. Bolling served as a submarine sonar technician before retiring in 2017 and is accused of crashing a Buick Encore GX SUV into the barrier inside the gate. After the crash, Bolling tried to follow an FBI employee into a secure parking lot on foot but refused to sit on the curb when instructed by agents. He resisted arrest but was eventually taken into custody and identified through a passport found in his pocket. Bolling was then taken to an Atlanta hospital for evaluation.
The Atlanta FBI office in Chamblee is surrounded by a metal fence with a retractable gate that allows authorized access card holders to enter. Bolling’s SUV crashed into a barrier just inside the front gate, causing significant damage that would cost over $1,000 to repair. After the crash, no weapons were found in the vehicle, and agents and bomb technicians checked it as a precaution. The FBI spokesperson confirmed that no weapons were found in the SUV. Bolling’s motives for the attack are still unknown, and authorities have not provided any information on his intentions.
DeKalb County police have also secured warrants on state charges of interference with government property against Bolling. However, no attorney representing him was listed in online court records. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, and video footage and a photo filed in court showed the SUV crashed against the barrier. Bolling’s actions of resisting arrest and attempting to follow an FBI employee into a secure parking lot have raised concerns about a potential security threat. While Bolling has a record of serving in the Navy, his behavior in this incident remains unexplained.
The FBI agent’s statement mentioned that after the crash, Bolling exited the vehicle and attempted to enter the secure parking lot on foot. When instructed to sit on the curb by agents, Bolling refused and tried to walk further into the parking lot. He resisted arrest when agents attempted to take him into custody, leading to a confrontation. The involvement of FBI agents and bomb technicians highlights the seriousness of the incident, and Bolling’s behavior after the crash is being closely scrutinized by authorities.
Pete Ellis, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Atlanta office, addressed reporters and confirmed that agents and bomb technicians checked the vehicle as a precaution. However, no weapons were found in the SUV, alleviating concerns of a potential larger threat. Bolling’s attempt to follow an FBI employee into the secure parking lot raised alarm bells, but the swift response of agents prevented any further escalation of the situation. The overall impact of the incident on the security procedures at the Atlanta FBI office remains to be seen, as authorities continue to investigate Bolling’s motives and background.
The cost of repairing the damaged barrier reflects the seriousness of Bolling’s actions and the potential consequences of his reckless behavior. The estimated cost of over $1,000 to repair the barrier highlights the financial impact of such incidents on government property. While Bolling is in custody and being evaluated at an Atlanta hospital, the investigation into the incident is ongoing. Authorities are working to determine the reasons behind Bolling’s actions and whether there were any underlying factors that led to the attack on the FBI office. The charges against Bolling, both federal and state, indicate the severity of his actions and the potential legal repercussions he may face.
