Copyright 1994 Boston Herald Inc.
The Boston Herald
December 14, 1994 Wednesday SECOND EDITION
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 003
LENGTH: 445 words
HEADLINE: FBI: Beware of bomber; Security beefed up at universities
BODY: Security was intensified at universities across the country yesterday in fear that scholars and researchers may be targeted by the mystery bomber who authorities say claimed his latest victim over the weekend.
But the FBI still had no leads in the death of advertising executive Thomas J. Mosser, who was killed Saturday when he opened a videotape-sized package in the kitchen of his posh home in suburban New Jersey.
The FBI believes the North Caldwell, N.J., resident was the latest victim in a series of 15 bombings by a man the bureau has dubbed the Unabomber because his previous attacks have targeted universities and airlines. Two people have been killed and 23 injured since the first bomb exploded in May 1978 at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
CNN reported that federal investigators think Mosser may have received a telephone call at his office from the bomber the day before he died, telling him to expect a package. At least two previous targets of the bomber received such calls.
Locally, Harvard University used its extensive computer networks to e-mail a precautionary warning to 10,000 students, faculty members and staffers, a spokesman said.
"I don't want to create the impression that Harvard is more alarmed than any other school," university spokesman James Wrinn said. "Just want to alert people who go to school here and work here that they should be careful."
The e-mail warning advised anyone finding a "suspicious" package to turn it over to Harvard University Police.
Officials have speculated the bomber may have lost his job to a computer, leading him to pick victims with ties to high-technology.
The hunt for the bomber, who uses precisely constructed and powerful homemade devices, was made all the more pressing by fears he may soon strike again, a high-ranking FBI agent in Newark, N.J., said yesterday.
"We are still nervous about another bomb being out there somewhere," the agent said.
The nationwide search for the bomber also spread into cyberspace yesterday as the FBI asked for help from users of the Internet computer network.
"Dear Netters, the purpose for submitting the information on the Internet is twofold," the FBI's message said.
"First, the Internet is another medium that enables us to reach as wide an audience as possible, to spread the word. Second, Internet users are precisely the type of individuals that have been recipients of explosive devices attributed to Unabom; scholars and researchers."
The FBI posted its offer of a $ 1 million reward over the Internet for the capture and conviction of the bomber.
- Ralph Ranalli contributed to this Herald Wire Services report.