A small bomb that exploded along the route of a road race in New Jersey on Saturday morning contained multiple devices that failed to go off, authorities have said.
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Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Ocean County prosecutor’s office, told CNN that he believed that the explosion was meant to affect the charity run, which started five minutes before the blast. No one was injured but race organizers say the race got delayed due to the large numbers of people registering for the race and reports of an unattended backpack being found.
The FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives is leading the investigation into the bomb with assistance from New Jersey State Police and local and county authorities.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s so-called joint terrorism task force assumed the lead role in searching for clues to Saturday’s bombing, asking members of the public for any tips that might lead to arrests in the case.
“All phones used as detonators were similar in design and officials say another similarity was the lack of know-how that went in to making the bombs.”
Less than three hours after the NY blast, an object police described as a “possible secondary device” was found just a few blocks away from the original explosion on 27th Street while officers were combing the area.
The timing of the explosion and where the device had been placed makes it appear “somebody has a beef with the military”, Della Fave said. He has seen video of the blast and said police were canvassing residents to find more video.
Pictures posted on social media showed a green plastic waste bin blown apart in New Jersey.
According to the police chief, possibly a second or third IED was found in the same area.
According to the Fire Department of NY, a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded in a dumpster on W 23 Street in the area of 6 and 7 avenues in Manhattan around 9 p.m.
In the NY incident, a pressure cooker exploded in the Chelsea section of Brooklyn, injured almost 30 people. The Republican governor said people should not jump to conclusions about who may be responsible for the blast or what the motive was.
“Until the bomb squad gives us the all-clear in terms of that garbage pail, we’re going to keep that area closed off”, he said.
At this time, the 3rd Annual Marine Semper Fi 5K Race has been canceled as authorities continue to secure the scene and prevent loss of life. The Manhattan blast injured 29 people.
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It is unclear how many runners had signed up to participate in the Semper Five race.
