Police have removed a suspicious device from a Manhattan location four blocks from the site of an explosion that injured more than two dozen people.
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The city’s Mayor said the blast was believed to be “an intentional act” but said there was no evidence of it being terror related. “We have to pray for the victims”, she said.
The blast ripped out windows and sent glass flying through the area. “Then we could smell smoke”.
We do have video, and we see the explosion and we’re going to use this to help us in our investigation.
Daily Beast Senior Editor Justin Miller reported that the NYPD had said that they found no “second IED” at the scene – but whether they confirmed that the explosion was, in fact, caused by an IED remained unclear.
CNN, citing law enforcement sources, reported that a piece of paper with writing on it was found nearby.
Pressure cookers packed with explosives and detonated with timing devices were used by two MA brothers in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing that killed three people and wounded more than 260.
Mr de Blasio said there was no evidence to show the blast was an act of terrorism nor was there any specific or credible threat against the city by any group.
Clinton, asked about Trump’s saying that a “bomb” had gone off in NY, said it was “important to know the facts about any incident like this”, adding, “I think it’s always wiser to wait until you have information before making conclusions, because we are just in the beginning stages of trying to determine what happened”.
New York City subway routes were affected by the explosion, which rattled some New Yorkers and visitors on the heels of the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
The mayor said investigators did not believe there was any link to a pipe bomb that exploded earlier on Saturday in the New Jersey beach town of Seaside Park. Reports say one person is seriously hurt. He said the other injuries were minor, described as scrapes and bruises.
The explosion, described by one neighbour as “deafening”, happened outside the Associated Blind Housing facility at 135 W. 23rd Street. The facility provides housing, training and other services for the blind.
It happened at around 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday. Her 10-year- old son in the back seat was unhurt, she said.
After landing in suburban New York City, Clinton told reporters she had been briefed “about the bombings in New York and New Jersey and the attacks in Minnesota”.
A White House official said President Obama “has been apprised of the explosion in New York City, the cause of which remains under investigation”.
The blast came as world leaders gathered in NY for a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, heightening security concerns in the city.
None of those injured were reported to be in a life-threatening condition. Police say it was to be taken to the department firing range in the Bronx.
The rampage at the Crossroads mall in St Cloud, about 100km northwest of Minneapolis, began shortly after 8pm Saturday.
Police had dealt with the individual on three earlier occasions but all for minor offences, he said.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said she had been briefed “about the bombings in NY and New Jersey and the attack in Minnesota”.
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An official told the New York Times, “We don’t understand the target or the significance of it”.
