The pipe bomb was in a garbage can when it exploded.
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There were no reported injuries or damage to surrounding buildings, and the area was immediately placed on a lockdown while bomb-sniffing dogs searched for other explosive devices, the prosecutor’s office said.
An unknown device detonated in a garbage can Saturday morning before runners were set to take part in a third annual Semper Five run that benefits marines and sailors.
Deputy Chief Daniel Sollitti said the department had added extra precautions in wake of the explosions in Seaside Park and Manhattan and there were both uniformed and plain clothes officers working at the race.
Officials say the device was timed to detonate during the race but the start was delayed while a suspicious rucksack was investigated. “And so as I said, we have some promising leads”, Christie said.
The kind of bomb not created to damage buildings but rather to hurt people, as was the case at the Boston Marathon, where 3 people died and 260 were injured in 2013… “If we are, we’re going to be able to be great soldiers with law enforcement in keeping our families and loved ones safe”.
No one was injured in the Saturday morning beachside detonation, because the race had been delayed by a surge in registrations as well as by the discovery of an unclaimed backpack that was unrelated to the bombing attempt.
Despite the relative calm of the runners, there was an overwhelmingly apparent police presence throughout the area.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said no one should jump to conclusions or put out information that has not been confirmed.
Investigators are still trying to “see if there is a connection” to the Chelsea bombing, but “at this point, there doesn’t appear to be one, ” NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill told reporters Sunday outside 1 Police Plaza.
Special Agent Michael Whitaker at the FBI’s Newark offices would not say if authorities were investigating a possible connection between the NY and Seaside Park explosions. “We just don’t know who is responsible for it”.
Della Fave said at this time they can not say whether it was a criminal or terrorist attack, but said it was clear the bomb meant to target the race.
Millie Young, a senior citizen who winters in Florida and has been spending summers in Seaside Park for more than 50 years, said she was evacuated from her home by police for more than three hours. “We are grateful that nobody was injured, but this is a serious act of violence against the people of New Jersey”.
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The explosion occurred at 9:35 a.m., five minutes after the race had been scheduled to begin.
