New York Police are investigating an explosion in Central Park that mutilated a man and almost cost him his leg.
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The homemade explosive that went off Sunday probably was created to “make a large noise, maybe make a flash”, said Lt. Mark Torre, commanding officer of the New York Police Department’s bomb squad.
“At this time, we have no evidence that this is related to terrorism”, said NYPD Deputy Chief John O’Connell.
Canine police work near the scene of an explosion in Central Park, New York, Sunday, July 3, 2016. He advised people not to carry out such activities.
He was visiting the park with two friends, ages 18 and 20, O’Connell said.
The man was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where police said he was undergoing surgery and was listed in serious but stable condition. They have said they do not believe the three men played any role in the construction of the device that went off.
A small blast in Central Park in New York City severed a man’s foot on Sunday, police told BuzzFeed News.
He was visiting NY from Fairfax, Virginia with two friends, Thomas Hinds, 20, and Matthew Stabile, 18, who were unharmed in the freak accident. They said it appeared that someone may have hidden the material in the park. The victim has a “possible amputation”, the FDNY said. Investigators believe the explosive was left behind by an amateur or hobbyist. It appeared to have been put together by someone with knowledge about chemistry.
The bomb squad said the home-made explosive required a level of chemistry to create, however the information would be readily available with an internet search.
“This is clearly explosive material”.
“There’s nothing to indicate that this was an explosive device that was placed in this area with a specific intend to harm any individuals”, said Torre.
Explosive material from the scene was being tested at a bomb lab, a federal law enforcement official told CNN. They were climbing on a collection of rocks near East 60th Street and Fifth Avenue shortly before 11 a.m. when Ryan jumped down and unintentionally triggered the explosion, they told the paper.
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The park will remain open to the public except for the area where the explosion occurred.
