The incident began when John Birges, an individual with a criminal history, planted a bomb in the Harvey's Resort Hotel in Stateline, Nevada, as part of an elaborate plot to extort money. His motivation stemmed from a previous casino-related dispute, leading him to threaten harm unless his financial demands were met. After receiving information about the bomb, the FBI quickly mobilized to manage the situation, aiming to protect the public and apprehend Birges.

As the FBI’s bomb disposal unit arrived on the scene, they began their attempts to safely disarm the explosive device. Unfortunately, due to a lack of specific knowledge about the bomb’s configuration and mechanics, a catastrophic mistake was made during the disarming process. The bomb detonated unexpectedly, resulting in injuries to several agents who were present.

The aftermath of the bombing caused heightened awareness of the complexities involved in bomb disposal protocols. Additionally, it underscored the lengths that criminals would go for financial gain. The operation attracted media attention and raised questions about the procedural training of FBI agents in handling explosives, ultimately contributing to reforms in bomb disposal training and protocol across other federal law enforcement agencies.