Yesterday, the beaches and many access roads were shut down after an improvised explosive device detonated shortly before thousands of runners were to participate in the Semper Five Marine Corps Charity 5k.
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“It appears it didn’t do the damage it was supposed to”, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Asbury Park Press reported.
Investigators discovered three pipe-bomb-type devices wired together near the boardwalk, authorities said.
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.
At this time, the New Jersey State Bomb Squad is investigating a suspicious package which was located in the vicinity of the blast and which authorities believe could be related.
Della Fave also said that the incident was not “a prank” because the device was too sophisticated.
During an appearance on CNN Sunday, Christie told host Jake Tapper that officials did not want to jump to any conclusions regarding a connection between the incidents in NY and New Jersey.
No one was injured when the pipe bomb exploded Saturday on the Jersey Shore.
The bombs used in Seaside Park and Manhattan were substantially different, Cuomo said.
Mr Fave issued a warning on Facebook which said: “At this time the area is on lock down while bomb dogs search for additional devices”.
Brad Cohen, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s office in Newark, has declined to take questions from reporters, citing the “active, ongoing” investigation.
Initial reports of a second bomb planted in another trash proved untrue, according to a statement issued by New Jersey state police several hours later.
However, federal officials said they are “unaware of any known threat to public safety” to the Seaside Park community.
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.
“We are working hard to find the person responsible for this”, Whitaker said.
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Ocean County Prosecutors later said that the investigation was being handled by the FBI. He said the site of the explosion, outside on a major thoroughfare of a fashionable enclave in one of the most bustling areas of New York City, was being treated as a crime scene. At least 25 people are injured with minor injuries. The paper says it remains unclear whether law enforcement is pursuing any other suspects.
