Tragedy Strikes: USBC’s Gary Haines Confirms Heartbreaking Loss After Devastating Bomb Incident
June 4, 2025 | Washington, D.C. — A somber cloud hangs over the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) today as Executive Director Gary Haines confirmed a devastating and tragic loss following a deadly bomb explosion that shook the organization’s national office early Tuesday morning.
The blast, which occurred shortly after 9:00 a.m. local time, tore through part of the administrative wing at the USBC headquarters, leaving behind a scene of chaos, destruction, and grief. Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but despite their efforts, several staff members were killed or critically injured in the attack.
In a deeply emotional press conference held just hours after the incident, Haines, visibly shaken and struggling to hold back tears, addressed the nation and the bowling community:
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I confirm we have lost members of our USBC family. They were not just colleagues — they were friends, mentors, and deeply loved individuals who dedicated their lives to this sport and our mission. This is a senseless tragedy that has torn through our hearts.”
Authorities have not yet disclosed the motive behind the bombing, and no group has claimed responsibility. Federal investigators, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, are working jointly with local law enforcement to determine how the device made it past building security and who may be behind the act.
As investigators comb through the debris for clues, messages of support have poured in from across the country and around the world. Fellow sports organizations, professional bowlers, and fans have taken to social media to express their shock and solidarity, using the hashtag #USBCStrong to show unity in the face of horror.
President of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), Lisa Monroe, released a statement saying:
“Today we mourn with USBC. The bowling world is a tight-knit family, and this loss is felt in every alley, every team, and every heart.”
Crisis counselors have been dispatched to support grieving employees and families, and USBC has announced that all operations will be suspended for the remainder of the week.
Gary Haines concluded the press conference with a call for strength and remembrance:
“We will never forget those we lost. Their light will not be extinguished by this darkness. We will stand together, we will heal, and we will honor them with every strike, every spare, and every silent moment we hold in their name.”
As the nation mourns alongside the USBC community, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of how precious — and fragile — life is.
More updates to follow as the investigation unfolds.
