Officials described the device that exploded, saying that three pipe-bomb-type explosives were wired together and was found near a boardwalk in Seaside Park on Saturday, CNN reported.
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The prosecutor’s office spokesman says the race had been delayed due to strong turnout and last-minute registrations, possibly saving lives by preventing the race from beginning on time.
The charity organizers canceled the event, and law enforcement placed the immediate area of Seaside Park on lockdown.
“We’re kind of relentless”, said 54-year-old Beahr, a Richboro, Pennsylvania, resident who owns a summer home in Toms River.
Authorities say there was no structural damage from the blast.
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.
The explosion occurred around 9:30 a.m.as spectators and runners were about to line up for the start of the race, according to New Jersey 101.5. Chris Christie called an explosion near a charity run Saturday “clearly an act of terrorism” meant to frighten people in his state.
A law enforcement source said an initial investigation suggested the explosion occurred in a dumpster but the cause was still undetermined.
Authorities immediately cleared the boardwalk and beach area, and bomb-sniffing dogs were being used to search the area.
He noted that the device in Manhattan appeared to be different than a pipe bomb explosion earlier Saturday in New Jersey and said he didn’t believe the two were connected.
The agency won’t say whether investigators believe the incident in Seaside Park was terror related.
He added that the rubbish bin contained a “pipe bomb-style device”, NJ.com reported.
“We are taking every step to ensure the safety of the public and to determine who was responsible for this explosion, which occurred at a time when runners in this charity race could have been in harms way”, Porrino said.
Officials in NY are trying to determine who was responsible for an explosion that injured 29 in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.
Whitaker declined to answer questions about whether authorities have identified a suspect or a motive in the case.
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.
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“We have some promising leads, but no suspects at this time so we are continuing to work with the authorities to make sure that we bring whoever is responsible for this to justice as quickly as possible”, Christie said.
