A news agency linked to the Islamic State claimed Sunday that the suspect in Minnesota, who was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer, was “a soldier” of the militant group, though there was no confirmation of what connection the man may have had.
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He termed the Saturday blast “a very serious incident”, saying a lot more work needs to be done to find out the motivation behind the blast.
The New York Times said the two devices used flip phones and Christmas lights.
An explosion in the heart of New York’s Chelsea neighborhood sent dozens to the hospital Saturday night.
“This is the nightmare scenario”, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D, said.
Shortly after the blast, investigators found a suspicious device a few blocks away, placing much of the city on edge. No one has been charged with any crime and the investigation is ongoing, the statement said.
FBI investigators search an area near the scene of an explosion Saturday night.
Up to five devices have been found in a backpack in a waste basket in Elizabeth, New Jersey, according to Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage.
“People didn’t know what was going on, and that’s what was scary”, said Anthony Zayas, an actor who was in the Chelsea neighborhood Saturday night when the bomb went off.
Surveillance footage of the explosion, including video from cameras at Orangetheory Fitness in Chelsea, captured bystanders running through the streets, ducking from debris as windows shattered all around.
“We receive great cooperation and appreciate the support from the federal authorities and the NYPD throughout the year, and especially during the General Assembly to keep staff, delegates and visitors safe”, Dujarric said. Masum Chaudry, who manages a Domino’s Pizza near the scene, said the explosion “shook the whole building” and caused “total chaos”.
“Almost anybody could have fabricated these bombs and used cellphones as timed detonators”, said another U.S. official familiar with the inquiry.
“A bomb exploding in NY is obviously an act of terrorism, but it’s not linked to global terrorism”, State Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters on Sunday after touring the scene of the explosion. A forensic examination of the device and its components will be conducted at the FBI Laboratory at Quantico, Virginia.
The bombs were both pressure cookers and filled with shrapnel, similar to the explosives used at the 2013 Boston Marathon, it has been reported.
An explosive device ws also found blocks away from the initial incident. “It is a scary time because you never know when it will happen again”.
“Whether that was a terrorist attack or not, I’m not willing to say that right now because we just don’t know”, Anderson said at a news conference. Cuomo said: “It depends on your definition of terrorism”.
David Benedict, 19, is a film and television student at New York University who lives on West 18th Street, not far from the blast.
“It was so loud”, the 32-year-old Alam said. “What was it? We do not know”, he added, calling on residents to be vigilant. “We do not know that yet”.
Mayor Bill de Blasio pleaded for any witnesses to provide tips and promised a security presence that would be “bigger than ever” for the United Nations General Assembly bringing together world leaders in Manhattan for six days starting on Tuesday. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived Saturday, while Obama is scheduled to head to the city on Monday. Officials said 29 people were injured. We’ll see what it is.
“This should steel our resolve to protect our country and defeat ISIS and other terrorist groups”, said Hillary Clinton, using another acronym for the IS group. “In this situation, it’s better to just leave!”
The Manhattan blast followed a pipe bomb explosion earlier Saturday in Seaside Park, New Jersey, before the start of a charity 5K race to benefit Marines and sailors. No one was hurt.
On Sunday, a federal law enforcement official said the Chelsea bomb contained a residue of Tannerite, an explosive often used for target practice that can be bought in many sporting goods shops.
Federal investigators in Quantico, Virginia, are examining evidence from Saturday’s explosions in New Jersey and NY. The official says in the NY incident, the device that exploded had residue from an explosive called Tannerite.
The official says investigators looked into it and don’t consider it relevant to the case.
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The agency said that the five individuals who were taken into custody are from Elizabeth, and law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation tell NBC 4 NY they are believed to be relatives or associates of 28-year-old Ahmad Khan Rahami, the suspect sought in connection with the Chelsea bombings as well as the pipe bomb in Elizabeth and another in Seaside Park, New Jersey, over the weekend.
