The 28-year-old Afghan-born U.S. citizen had been named by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a suspect in Saturday’s bombing in Manhattan.
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Born in Afghanistan, The New York Times is describing Rahami as a “naturalized citizen”.
“He was really religious [after the trip]”, said Rahami’s friend, Flee Jones, 27.
His family runs First American Fried Chicken in Elizabeth, the city’s mayor said.
Bombing suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami’s family accused the city of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and its police department in 2011 of discrimination and harassment.
Officials in NY called bombings over the weekend in NY and New Jersey an “act of terror” while discussing the case and the capture of a suspect Monday.
With Rahami’s arrest, officials said they have no indication there are more bombs or suspects to find, though they cautioned that they are still investigating.
The official says investigators recovered his fingerprints from the scene. Law enforcement officials are “moving smartly”, he said, and “it does not help if false reports or incomplete information is out there”.
Mr Sweeney said five suspects taken into custody late on Sunday (local time) in Brooklyn after they had been observed in a auto at a location associated with Rahami had been released without charge. Officials sent an emergency alert Monday morning alerting residents about Rahami and said that alert was useful in his arrest.
He says the president also expressed appreciation for the work of first responders. When Rahami returned, he “got more religious” and dressed differently than before, Jones said.
“He was always friendly”, Jones said. “I said, ‘Oh, where have you been?’ And he said, ‘Oh, vacation.’ But I knew he went to Afghanistan because his little brother said it”.
Ahmad Rahami being taken into police custody on a stretcher. Two other law enforcement officials confirmed to CNN that Rahami went to Pakistan for approximately a year. The Rahami family lives in the apartment.
Federal court records show the case ended in a “statistical closing”. The domestic violence allegation was later recanted, he said.
Around the time Rahami was taken into custody, President Barack Obama was in NY on a previously scheduled visit for a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly, and said it was “extremely fortunate” nobody was killed in the bombings. The text was written capital letters: “Wanted for questioning”. But the official said it was unclear if she ever came to the United States.
It contained up to five devices, Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage said.
When officers responded, Rahami pulled out a handgun and opened fire, striking an officer. The lawsuit was terminated in 2012 after Mohammad Ruhami pleaded guilty to blocking police from enforcing the restrictions on the restaurant.
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Authorities are seeking 28-year-old Ahmad Khan Rahami, a naturalized US citizen from Afghanistan. Elizabeth, N.J. major stated the one officer was shot in the hand, the other took a bullet in his tactical vest. He said he recognized Rahami and called police.
