Car Blast Kills One Near Grand Ole Opry

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A sport utility vehicle exploded in a parking lot at Nashville's largest hotel, killing one male inside, and authorities said they suspected a homemade bomb was involved.

The explosion occurred late Tuesday about a half-mile from the main entrance of Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center (search), and about 200 feet from a day care center, which was closed, said Jim Cavanaugh of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Police said the blast was felt miles away, and it left nothing but a shell of the SUV.

Investigators from the federal Joint Terrorism Task Force (search) were at the scene, but FBI agent Doug Riggin said there was no reason to suspect terrorism.

Cavanaugh said the cause hadn't yet been determined but investigators suspect a homemade bomb.

"It could have been homicide or suicide or the guy may have just blown himself up," police Homicide Detective Brad Putnam said.

Cavanaugh said authorities were trying to trace the SUV's license plates to identify the victim.

The Gaylord Opryland has 2,881 rooms. The Grand Ole Opry's (search) theater is on the hotel grounds and there is an adjacent shopping mall. "We haven't got a lot of calls from guests, but we are addressing any concerns they may have," hotel spokeswoman Karen Hunter-Lowery said.