SEATTLE (AP) — Federal authorities in Seattle have charged two people with a terrorist attack on train tracks, suggesting they were motivated by opposition to the construction of a natural gas pipeline across British Columbia when they interfered with the operation of a railroad in Washington state.
Samantha Brooks and Ellen Reiche, both of Bellingham, are accused of placing “shunts” on Burlington Northern tracks Saturday night. The devices consist of a wire strung across the tracks, mimicking the electrical signal of a train.
They can cause trains to automatically brake and disable railroad crossing guards.
The two were released from custody Monday pending a Dec. 14 court appearance. Their attorneys declined to comment.