911 Calls Reveal Details About Naperville Man Accused in FAA Facility Fire

By Amie Schaenzer

Photo Credit: CBS News Video

Family and friends called 911 after becoming disturbed by a Facebook message left by a 36-year-old Naperville man who is now accused of setting a fire at the Aurora Federal Aviation Authority facility on Sept. 26.

The 911 calls posted today on the Naperville Sun websiteshowed the confusion and concern surrounding the disturbing Facebook message, which lead some of those closest to Brian Howard to believe he was going to take his life. Dispatchers fielded calls from a brother-in-law, step-sister, sister and friend.

His sister told a dispatcher Howard was on two different anit-depressants, used a sleep machine and took a sleep medication. A friend said the Facebook message referenced Howard causing some sort of outage that would “knock down communications” or cause traffic delays.

Howard’s sister, who lives in Gary, Ind., said her brother worked on internet components for airlines in the area, according to the 911 calls. She said he was taking a new job Hawaii and their family had a going away party planned for him on Saturday. He was expected to leave Tuesday.

The Facebook message, she said, made her believe he was not happy with his job.

“He’s supposed to be taking a new job. He’s never been happy. That is why he is taking the job in Hawaii ...,” the sister told dispatchers. “He was in the service for six years and he held a job the entire time. And he always traveled because he’s never been happy wherever he’s going.”

A portion of the Facebook message, according to Howard’s criminal complaint, read:

“Take a hard look in the mirror, I have. And this is why I am about to take out ZAU and my life. April, Pop, love you guys and I am sorry. Leaving you with a big mess. Do your best to move on quickly from me please. Feel like I give s--- for the first time in a long time again … but not for too long (haha!) So I’m going to smoke this blunt and move on, take care everyone.”

Howard faces a felony charge of destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities in the pre-dawn fire that occurred on Sept. 26 at the FAA facility at 619 West Indian Trail in Aurora.

Paramedics responded to the fire around 5:42 a.m. When they arrived, they found heavy smoking coming from the basement of the facility and also found a a trail of blood on the floor. They followed the blood and found Howard under a table where he was attempting to slice his throat with a knife, the FBI said. Paramedics were able to get the knife away from him and started to treat him.

The fire created a big radar hole in the Midwest, effectively shutting down O’Hare and Midway Airports that canceled over 1,500 flights and delayed more than 900. Airlines had resumed some flights by the afternoon.

Howard was taken to a hospital for treatment and If convicted, could face up to 20 years in prison.

Visit the Naperville Sun website to hear the 911 recordings