New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Sunday there was still no indication that an explosion that injured 29 people in Manhattan on Saturday was linked to worldwide terrorism, while investigators scoured the scene of the blast.
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Federal investigators sought to determine on Sunday if there were links among three attacks across the United States this weekend, involving bombings in New York City and New Jersey and a stabbing rampage at a Minnesota shopping mall.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak about an ongoing investigation, says the device was found inside a plastic bag on West 27th Street. Experts said a large amount would be required to create a blast like the one Saturday night, as well as an accelerant or other ignitor.
But he said that, as yet, no global organisation such as so-called Islamic State had claimed they were behind it. The attacker was shot dead by an off-duty police officer. Officials said it didn’t appear that those two incidents were connected, though they weren’t ruling anything out.
New Jersey Transit service was suspended early Monday between Newark Liberty Airport and Elizabeth, and New Jersey-bound Amtrak trains were being held at New York Penn Station, officials said. The New Jersey device contained evidence of a black powder, while the device that exploded in Manhattan had residue from an explosive called Tannerite, said a federal law enforcement official. “I’ll have more to say about it when we actually know some facts”.
Bill de Blasio, the city’s mayor, refused to speculate on a possible motive, saying only that it was an “intentional act” and that investigators – who included members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a special anti-terrorism taskforce – were working tirelessly to find those responsible.
No official has suggested ties between the mall attack and the explosions in New Jersey and NY.
There were no immediate connections established between the Minnesota attack and the bombings in NY and New Jersey, which came days before the United Nations General Assembly opens on Tuesday.
A second device was discovered blocks away, removed by a bomb squad robot and is being examined at a police facility. A similar, unexploded device, was found a few blocks away later that night. All 29 victims were released from the hospital, officials said on Sunday.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday that investigators so far have not found any connection to worldwide terrorist groups, and there is no further immediate threat to the city. “We’ve increased our police presence in each of these events”, said senior NY police officer Carlos Gomez. He said the other injuries were minor, described as scrapes and bruises.
Currently, the “breaking news” headline banner on the main CNN website indicates that, upon reviewing some of the multitudes of surveillance videos that captured the scene of the NY bombing and the area near where the pressure cooker was found, authorities have made a disturbing discovery.
O’Neill said officers have recovered video from both scenes and are continuing to canvas for witnesses and additional video. Mayor Bill de Blasio ruled out any terror connections, but called the blast an “intentional act”.
The development comes almost 24 hours after dozens were injured after an explosive device rocked a Chelsea neighborhood.
Early Sunday, police said an investigation into a third suspicious package turned up a bag of trash.
The Republican presidential nominee made the comments around 9:10 p.m., shortly after the explosion in Manhattan’s crowded Chelsea neighborhood and as emergency officials were responding to the blast.
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Spicer said terrorist groups like ISIS use the Internet to recruit people sympathetic to their cause.
