The FBI has issued a nationwide alert for a man named Ryan Kelly Chamberlain II. After a search of his San Francisco apartment on Russian Hill yesterday turned up explosives, among other hazardous materials.
Chamberlain is 42 years old, wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt and believed to be driving a white 2008 Nissan Altima with either California or Texas license plates 7FQY085 and BX9M042, respectively.
There's a photo of him here.
More on his background...
From the link above:
Chamberlain also worked as a grassroots organizer on several political campaigns, the biography says. He is a self-proclaimed social media expert who said he designed marketing campaigns for political organizations and advocacy groups.
Originally from Iowa, where he studied political science at the Iowa State University, Chamberlain claimed to have worked as an aide to Iowa Senator Charles Grassley. He has experience in journalism, public relations and marketing. He worked in various jobs, including as an independent contractor for The SF Chronicle.
Apparently, something triggered the interest of the FBI, and they raided his apartment yesterday discovering explosives and other hazardous materials. A report from a local ABC News affiliate claimed they found a stash of ricin, but the FBI has since said that's not the case.
The FBI does not know where Chamberlain is headed, but warns the public to keep their distance if he is sighted. The article above notes the FBI is concerned that his car is wired with explosives.
Hope all of you in the Bay Area are safe and don't have the misfortune of running into this guy.
Update: I'm updating the title of the diary to reflect news reports containing interviews with some of this political friends. Some indicated he was a political consultant who worked on numerous campaigns. The article at this link quoting Howard Epstein, past chair of the local Republican Party claiming he had begun consulting with Democratic Party campaigns.