Cops: Prospect Hts. house bombed in case of mistaken identity

A bomb that blew out the window of a Prospect Heights home may have been planted in the wrong location, authorities said.

An explosive that went off about 3 a.m. Aug. 25 in the 200 block of Gail Court South likely was intended instead for the home of an area political activist who lives on the same block, Prospect Heights Police Cmdr. Al Steffen said.

The intended target of the bomb "was a whistle-blower in a political campaign," Steffen said. "We were aware that there was an investigation going on involving that person."

The case has been referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. Authorities have a suspect in mind and the investigation is ongoing, Steffen said.

After the bomb was found, the Cook County Sheriff's Office bomb unit was called to ensure no other bombs were inside the home. Evidence collected at the bomb scene is being analyzed at the Illinois State Police Crime Lab.

Police interviewed the homeowners, who are of Asian descent, and determined the act was likely not a hate crime. The homeowners told police they had no problems with anyone and their house is up for sale, Steffen said.

"They have no idea why anybody would do this to them," he said.