Love Triangle May Have Motivated OKC Pipe Bomb Suspect

In a case that seems more fitting for an afternoon network soap opera, a love triangle may have been the start of the series of events that led to the arrest of an Oklahoma City man accused of planting multiple pipe bombs at a metro trucking company and in a neighborhood on the city's southwest side.

Thursday, December 13th 2012, 5:00 pm

By: News 9


In a case that seems more fitting for an afternoon network soap opera, a love triangle may have been the start of the series of events that led to the arrest of an Oklahoma City man accused of planting multiple pipe bombs at a metro trucking company and in a neighborhood on the city's southwest side.

Kevin Burke, 38, was arrested on Tuesday night, facing three counts of manufacturing an explosive device and placing the devices on a vehicle with the intent to cause serious bodily harm or death.

According to the probable cause affidavit by OKC Police, Burke may have targeted the driver of the truck, Steve McKinnis, because of an alleged relationship he was having with McKinnis's wife.

12/12/2012 Related Story: Man Behind Bars For Pipe Bombs Found In Southwest OKC

Witnesses told police, after having conversations with Burke in person and through text messages, that Burke had asked about buying an untraceable gun to kill McKinnis. They also told police Burke had been experimenting with explosives and had planned to blow up multiple trucks to make it appear as though McKinnis was not specifically being targeted.

Burke was taken into custody in the area of NW 50th and Meridian. A police search of his vehicle turned up love letters to McKinnis's wife, handwritten lists of materials used to make the bombs and bomb diagrams.    

12/11/2012 Related Story: Man Arrested After Pipe Bombs Found In Southwest OKC

Once in custody, Burke admitted to making and planting the bombs with the intent to kill McKinnis. He also told police investigators that he acted alone.

Members of the OKC Police Bomb Squad were able to safely dismantle all three explosive devices. Two were found on McKinnis's truck at the Magerus Trucking Company located near SW 29th and Portland; one device was found under the cab and another in the gas tank. The third device was found in a yard near SW 26th St.

Bomb squad officials say all three devices were fully functional, and had their firing mechanisms not malfunctioned, the outcome of this case could have been far worse.

Burke is currently in the Oklahoma County Jail.

12/10/2012 Related Story: Two Pipe Bombs Found At SW OKC Trucking Company Deemed Safe

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