While still reeling from the West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion, residents of the small, sleepy town were trying to rebuild their lives, when the shocking news of the arrest of a well-known and well-liked man hit the media. Bryce A. Reed, supposedly a West E.M.T., was arrested on May 10, 2013 for having bomb-making materials. Is he responsible for the blast?  Is he acting out in an attempt to get help? Or, is he simply just seeking wide-spread attention? You decide.

After the West, Texas Fertilizer Explosion

• Bryce Reed gave lengthy, detailed interviews to reporters who swarmed the city of West, Texas just days after the fertilizer plant exploded, while other emergency responders did not participate in interviews.
• On April 20, 2013, Bryce Reed supposedly climbed onto a coffee table at a local hotel where families were trying to find food and clothing and said, “You’re safe where you’re at. If you’re not, I’d be dragging you out of here myself.”
• On April 21, 2013, during an interview with Bryce Reed outside the Czech Inn, Reed spoke about being sick and facing his own death. Reed stated that he lost 60 pounds in five months, claiming that doctors were unable to identify the reason even though 26 biopsies were performed on his stomach.
• Bryce Reed told people that he was a police officer and/or a government representative.
• Bryce Reed is listed as the contact person for a t-shirt fundraiser that has raised $33,177.

The Same Last Name Fiasco

• The Dallas Morning News quoted Gary Nelson, Bryce Reed’s stepfather, as saying “not a chance” that Reed could be connected to the fertilizer plant explosion; however, Bryce Reed’s biological father admitted that his son, Bryce Reed told some lies at the April 25, 2013 public memorial service, specifically when Bryce referred to a first responder, Cyrus Reed, as his brother.
• Mark Reed, Cyrus Reed’s father, has confirmed that Cyrus and Bryce are not related.
• Cyrus Reed’s sister, Sarah, was concerned that Bryce Reed had been stealing form Cyrus Reed’s apartment.

Bryce Reed’s Personal Life

• Bryce Reed is married to Brittany Reed. Brittany’s father, Max Tooker, told agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that Brittany is not connected in any way to Bryce’s legal troubles.
• Bryce Reed’s wife is staying with relatives in Waco, Texas.
• Bryce Reed claims his wife left him since the explosion because he was “lost in his own emotions.”

The Past is Catching Up

• Bryce Reed was identified as an EMT as recently as May 6, 2013, but authorities have verified that Reed had been “let go” from the West E.M.S. on April 19, 2013, two days after the fertilizer plant explosion. It is unknown why Reed was dismissed from his job.  
• Bryce Reed’s LinkedIn resume lists a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Excelsior College; however, Mike Lesczinski, spokesman for Excelsior College, said Bryce had never been a student at this school.
• Bryce Reed’s resume lists him as president and chief executive of Silentium Group and the director of operations of Bare Fruit Ministries, two organizations that consist almost solely of Bryce Reed or his wife. The phone numbers at each organization led to Bryce Reed’s voice mail.

Currently

• Authorities have not identified Bryce Reed as a suspect in the West, Texas fertilizer explosion.
• Bryce Reed has denied having involvement in the West, Texas fertilizer explosion.  
• Bryce Reed’s lawyer is Jonathan Sibley. Sibley has stated that Reed will not plead guilty to the bomb-possession charge at the May 15, 2013 court hearing.
• If Bryce Reed is found guilty and convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
• Bryce Reed was quoted by The Dallas Morning News on May 2, 2013: “I’m messed up, and I will be for a long time. I’m learning I have issues that I haven’t dealt with in the past and that are coming back.”

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/12/us/paramedic-bryce-reed-denies-role-in-west-texas-blast.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57584053/texas-paramedic-bryce-reed-to-plead-not-guilty-to-explosives-charge/

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2013/0511/Bryce-Reed-enigma-of-the-Texas-blast-tragedy-video

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/paramedic-bryce-reed--who-helped-the-victims-of-the-west-texas-fertiliser-blast--pleads-not-guilty-of-possessing-explosives-8614301.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2323152/Bryce-Reed-Former-West-paramedic-fired-just-days-explosion-marriage-fell-apart-Facebook--hes-charged-possessing-bomb.html