18 Things You Might or Might Not Know About Bryce Reed

18 Things You Might or Might Not Know About Bryce Reed

18 Things You Might or Might Not Know About Bryce ReedWhile 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


About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

New Products

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.