Raleigh, NC (July 26, 2019) –Early Friday morning on July 26, 2019, two agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s (SBI) Bomb Squad were injured. Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Timothy Luper and Special Agent Brian Joy were in Sampson County Thursday night assisting the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office. During a search that went into early Friday morning, they found some bomb making materials. As they were conducting a render safe mission on those materials, an explosion occurred injuring both agents. Agent Joy was airlifted to the NC Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill for treatment. ASAC Luper was later transported to the burn center for treatment as well. Special Agent Brian Joy is listed in critical condition. Assistant Special Agent In Charge Tim Luper remains in stable condition. The SBI Office is asking everyone to keep the agents and their families in your thoughts and prayers as they recover.