An explosion occurred just before a 5K race in Seaside Park to benefit a local U.S.Marine Corp soldier, causing the evacuation of the beach area and bringing a mass of police and law enforcement agencies to the scene Saturday.
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Wellington, who declined to be interviewed but verified her social media posts, said on Twitter that she had not heard an explosion and that runners were evacuated before the area was shut down.
The explosion occurred at 9:35 a.m., five minutes after the race had been scheduled to begin.
“At this time the area is on lock down while bomb dogs search for additional devices”. But the start of the race was delayed when an unattended backpack was found in the area. “We will not rest until we find the person or persons responsible”.
A four-block area was evacuated as law-enforcement swept the site for more explosive devices, but none aside from those in the one garbage can were found, Della Fave said.
Police reported to the station that possibly a second or third IED was found in the same area, and that pieces were blown as far as 150 feet away from the explosion. Attorney General Christopher Porrino and Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the State Police, briefed Gov. Chris Christie on the investigation.
Della Fave revealed that multiple explosive devices were inside the garbage can, as many as three, but only one detonated.
An explosion rocked the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan on Saturday night, injuring at least 29 people, authorities said, adding that they are investigating the blast as a criminal act not immediately linked to any terror organization. The race was canceled.
According to the website, the foundation was “established to provide benevolent support to active duty and medically retired MARSOC personnel and their families as well as to the families of Marines and Sailors who have lost their lives in service to our Nation”.
Stephen Rumbolo, 18, of Ortley Beach, said he arrived on D Street soon after the bombing when a friend told him something had exploded. “They were making us move from corner to corner”.
A charity run for marines in Seaside Park, New Jersey was over before it started.
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Prosecutor Al Della Fave said, “You got an overwhelming swath of individuals that could be affected”.
