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New York bombings: Ahmad Khan Rahami in custody after shootout – live New York bombings: Ahmad Khan Rahami in custody after shootout – live
(35 minutes later)
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Investigators have said extremely little about Ahmad Khan Rahami, but reporters are piecing together some details of his life and family’s story.
Neighbors have told the Guardian that they suspected nothing from Rahami based on their interactions with him behind the counter of the family’s fried chicken shop in Elizabeth, New Jersey. They described the 28 year old as friendly, generous with free food to regulars, and at least for a time obsessed with cars souped up for racing. Some have said the family was quiet, and that Rahami’s father wore religious clothing but his sons did not.
The family immigrated from Afghanistan some time before 2002, when Rahami was 14 and they opened First American Fried Chicken. Rahami became a naturalized citizen at some point; MSNBC has reported that the family arrived in 1995 and were granted asylum in 2011, though the Guardian could not immediately confirm the dates.
The family also had a decade-long clash with the city over the restaurant, whose 24-hour operations drew complaints from neighbors about rowdy crowds. City records show repeated complaints by both authorities and the family about their interactions, and one of Rahami’s brothers pled guilty at one point to preventing police from enforcing a city ordinance. His lawsuit against the city, claiming anti-Muslim discrimination, is technically still pending although Mayor Chris Bollwage noted that courts have ruled in the city’s favor.
Bankruptcy court documents also showed that the family struggled with money; in 2005 Rahami’s father filed for bankruptcy, saying in hte documents that he had only $100 in the bank and more than $35,000 in debt.
Buzzfeed unearthed Rahami’s freshman yearbook, and spoke with one of his ninth-grade classmates, who said: “Very funny, class clown. Got along with everyone, was a very nice kid.”
The New York Times spoke with a man who grew up with Rahami, 27-year-old Flee Jones, who said that around four years ago Rahami told him he had gone to Afghanistan with one of his brothers. On his return, Jones and neighbor Andre Almeida said he grew a beard and more often wore traditional Muslim robes.
“It’s like he was a completely different person,” he told the paper. “He got serious and completely closed off.”
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New York police tested a new warning measure on Monday morning, sending an alert to millions of people in the city and its environs with a photo and description of Ahmad Khan Rahami, my colleague Sam Thielman reports.New York police tested a new warning measure on Monday morning, sending an alert to millions of people in the city and its environs with a photo and description of Ahmad Khan Rahami, my colleague Sam Thielman reports.
On Monday morning New Yorkers were surprised by a cell phone alert delivered by the Wireless Emergency Alert system (WEA) that told them to be on the lookout for Rahami and gave a brief description along with the instruction “See media for pic.”On Monday morning New Yorkers were surprised by a cell phone alert delivered by the Wireless Emergency Alert system (WEA) that told them to be on the lookout for Rahami and gave a brief description along with the instruction “See media for pic.”
Technologists balked at unorthodox use of the WEA, which is meant for public emergencies only. The use of the system to aid a manhunt is believed to be unprecedented; UC Davis law professor Elizabeth Joh said it raised a troubling precedent.Technologists balked at unorthodox use of the WEA, which is meant for public emergencies only. The use of the system to aid a manhunt is believed to be unprecedented; UC Davis law professor Elizabeth Joh said it raised a troubling precedent.
Urgent action was clearly needed, she said, but “that everyone with a camera & immediate access to social media should be enlisted by means of the cellphone [WEA] is a different question. It’s a difficult balance to strike.”Urgent action was clearly needed, she said, but “that everyone with a camera & immediate access to social media should be enlisted by means of the cellphone [WEA] is a different question. It’s a difficult balance to strike.”
The WEA is limited 90 characters and is not enhanced by images or rich text, but Chris Soghoian of the ACLU speculated that such an enhancement to the system was close at hand.The WEA is limited 90 characters and is not enhanced by images or rich text, but Chris Soghoian of the ACLU speculated that such an enhancement to the system was close at hand.
Texting every phone in NYC with "see media for pic" doesn't seem terribly effective. I predict DHS asking the FCC for amber alerts w/pics.Texting every phone in NYC with "see media for pic" doesn't seem terribly effective. I predict DHS asking the FCC for amber alerts w/pics.
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A law enforcement official has told the AP that fingerprints and surveillance video helped investigators identify the man suspected of setting off bombs in the New York area over the weekend.A law enforcement official has told the AP that fingerprints and surveillance video helped investigators identify the man suspected of setting off bombs in the New York area over the weekend.
The official says Ahmad Khan Rahami is seen in surveillance footage “clear as day” at the scene of the Saturday night bombing in Manhattan. The official says investigators were also able to recover his fingerprints from the scene.The official says Ahmad Khan Rahami is seen in surveillance footage “clear as day” at the scene of the Saturday night bombing in Manhattan. The official says investigators were also able to recover his fingerprints from the scene.
Another law enforcement official says investigators pulled over a car “associated” with Rahami when it appeared headed toward an airport Sunday. It had three men and two women in it.Another law enforcement official says investigators pulled over a car “associated” with Rahami when it appeared headed toward an airport Sunday. It had three men and two women in it.
A third law enforcement official says Rahami wasn’t on any terror or no-fly watch lists but had been interviewed for immigration purposes.A third law enforcement official says Rahami wasn’t on any terror or no-fly watch lists but had been interviewed for immigration purposes.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about the case.The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about the case.
Earlier on Monday FBI agent Bill Sweeney said that the five people questioned had not been charged with any crimes.Earlier on Monday FBI agent Bill Sweeney said that the five people questioned had not been charged with any crimes.
Family of the suspected bomber - including dad and brother - returned to their house in Elizabeth, NJ w FBI. Unclear if they're still here.Family of the suspected bomber - including dad and brother - returned to their house in Elizabeth, NJ w FBI. Unclear if they're still here.
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has released a lengthy statement about the bombing attack, blaming Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for “not taking Isis seriously enough” and having “emboldened terrorists all over the world”.Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has released a lengthy statement about the bombing attack, blaming Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for “not taking Isis seriously enough” and having “emboldened terrorists all over the world”.
The businessman claims: “I will bring an end to these senseless acts of violence. They are wrong to say that we’re in a fight about ‘narratives.’ These terrorists pose an existential threat to our country, our values, and our way of life.”The businessman claims: “I will bring an end to these senseless acts of violence. They are wrong to say that we’re in a fight about ‘narratives.’ These terrorists pose an existential threat to our country, our values, and our way of life.”
They are hoping and praying that Hillary Clinton becomes President so that they can continue their savagery and murder. …They are hoping and praying that Hillary Clinton becomes President so that they can continue their savagery and murder. …
When I am President, terrorists like today’s suspect in the New York and New Jersey bombings, Ahmad Khan Rahami, and yesterday’s knife-wielding ISIS sympathizer in Minnesota, Dahir Adan, will be stopped. We will not look the other way. We will not allow political correctness and soft-on-terror, soft-on-crime policies to threaten our security and our lives.When I am President, terrorists like today’s suspect in the New York and New Jersey bombings, Ahmad Khan Rahami, and yesterday’s knife-wielding ISIS sympathizer in Minnesota, Dahir Adan, will be stopped. We will not look the other way. We will not allow political correctness and soft-on-terror, soft-on-crime policies to threaten our security and our lives.
Trump then blames Obama’s immigration policies, saying that he would have a system of “extreme vetting for immigrants from troubled parts of the world where terrorists live and train”. There are no details or specifics in the statement about how Trump’s screening process would add to the existing, two-year vetting process for refugees, which requires extensive interviews and background checks.Trump then blames Obama’s immigration policies, saying that he would have a system of “extreme vetting for immigrants from troubled parts of the world where terrorists live and train”. There are no details or specifics in the statement about how Trump’s screening process would add to the existing, two-year vetting process for refugees, which requires extensive interviews and background checks.
He also thanks law enforcement, saying: “In the past 48 hours, our law enforcement showed again that, without them, our country is neither safe nor secure.”He also thanks law enforcement, saying: “In the past 48 hours, our law enforcement showed again that, without them, our country is neither safe nor secure.”
Details of Ahmad Rahami’s life are still sparsely reported: he was born on 23 January, 1988, in Afghanistan, and his family has lived in Elizabeth, New Jersey, since at least 2002, when they opened a fried chicken restaurant there. Rahami is one of several children, and would have been around 14 in 2002. His family clashed with the city over the restaurant, which drew complaints for the clientele it attracted while operating all night.Details of Ahmad Rahami’s life are still sparsely reported: he was born on 23 January, 1988, in Afghanistan, and his family has lived in Elizabeth, New Jersey, since at least 2002, when they opened a fried chicken restaurant there. Rahami is one of several children, and would have been around 14 in 2002. His family clashed with the city over the restaurant, which drew complaints for the clientele it attracted while operating all night.
Once again someone we were told is ok turns out to be a terrorist who wants to destroy our country & its people- how did he get thru system?Once again someone we were told is ok turns out to be a terrorist who wants to destroy our country & its people- how did he get thru system?
Earlier on Monday, Clinton accused Trump of giving “aid and comfort” to jihadi terrorists by his emphasis on calling them “radical Islamic terrorists” and anti-immigrant proposals.Earlier on Monday, Clinton accused Trump of giving “aid and comfort” to jihadi terrorists by his emphasis on calling them “radical Islamic terrorists” and anti-immigrant proposals.
She said that Trump was politicizing the crimes to make “some kind of demagogic point”.She said that Trump was politicizing the crimes to make “some kind of demagogic point”.
“I’m the only candidate in this race who’s been part of the hard decisions to take terrorists off the battlefield,” Clinton told reporters. “I have sat at that table in the Situation Room.”“I’m the only candidate in this race who’s been part of the hard decisions to take terrorists off the battlefield,” Clinton told reporters. “I have sat at that table in the Situation Room.”
“I know how to do this,” she added.“I know how to do this,” she added.
Early Monday Morning Trump told the Fox News program Fox and Friends that his plan to defeat Isis was to “knock the hell out of ‘em”.Early Monday Morning Trump told the Fox News program Fox and Friends that his plan to defeat Isis was to “knock the hell out of ‘em”.
“We’re not knocking them, we’re hitting them once in a while; we’re hitting them in certain places. We’re being very gentle about it. We’re going to have to be very tough,”he said.“We’re not knocking them, we’re hitting them once in a while; we’re hitting them in certain places. We’re being very gentle about it. We’re going to have to be very tough,”he said.
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In New York, life goes on with its usual resilience: commuters and locals unfazed by bombs found in and near the city, a small army of heavily armed police and the warnings about unattended objects, my colleague Ciara McCarthy reports.In New York, life goes on with its usual resilience: commuters and locals unfazed by bombs found in and near the city, a small army of heavily armed police and the warnings about unattended objects, my colleague Ciara McCarthy reports.
Commuters, shoppers and tourists bustled through Grand Central station on Monday, largely carrying on as usual after a bomb in the Chelsea neighborhood injured 29 people over the weekend.Commuters, shoppers and tourists bustled through Grand Central station on Monday, largely carrying on as usual after a bomb in the Chelsea neighborhood injured 29 people over the weekend.
New Yorker Ronnie Santos said he wasn’t worried about the detonation, which went off near the roadway at 23rd Street.New Yorker Ronnie Santos said he wasn’t worried about the detonation, which went off near the roadway at 23rd Street.
“I think you just kind of have to move on,” Santos said while waiting in line for his morning coffee. “In New York we just kind of expect things like that. You can’t really get too stressed about it.”“I think you just kind of have to move on,” Santos said while waiting in line for his morning coffee. “In New York we just kind of expect things like that. You can’t really get too stressed about it.”
Several people who worked at shops in Grand Central noted a “heightened awareness” when they showed up to work on Monday, but said the transportation hub, through which an estimated 750,000 people travel each day, had largely resumed business as usual.Several people who worked at shops in Grand Central noted a “heightened awareness” when they showed up to work on Monday, but said the transportation hub, through which an estimated 750,000 people travel each day, had largely resumed business as usual.
Victoria Bruc, who works in a jewelry store, said she was nervous but had resumed her daily routine with no changes since Saturday’s bombing.Victoria Bruc, who works in a jewelry store, said she was nervous but had resumed her daily routine with no changes since Saturday’s bombing.
“I work in Grand Central, I’m always concerned that it might be a target,” she said. “But I feel like you have to go on doing your thing, you can’t live in fear.”“I work in Grand Central, I’m always concerned that it might be a target,” she said. “But I feel like you have to go on doing your thing, you can’t live in fear.”
Bruc said the transportation hub was humming along as usual, with regular foot traffic passing through the halls and security and law enforcement officers stationed regularly throughout the station. Bruc, 23, added that the visible security presence did make her feel safer working in such a famous and busy train depot. New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, said on Sunday that about 1,000 additional law enforcement officers had been deployed throughout the city “just to err on the side of caution”.Bruc said the transportation hub was humming along as usual, with regular foot traffic passing through the halls and security and law enforcement officers stationed regularly throughout the station. Bruc, 23, added that the visible security presence did make her feel safer working in such a famous and busy train depot. New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, said on Sunday that about 1,000 additional law enforcement officers had been deployed throughout the city “just to err on the side of caution”.
“You’re always concerned when you hear about bombs exploding,” Jim Senn, 71, said visiting from Arlington, Virginia. “But I guess the scope of it wasn’t so great in my mind that it really gave me pause about coming here.”“You’re always concerned when you hear about bombs exploding,” Jim Senn, 71, said visiting from Arlington, Virginia. “But I guess the scope of it wasn’t so great in my mind that it really gave me pause about coming here.”
Several city dwellers noted that in the wake of 9/11, the metropolis had proved its resilience. Dan Summa said he was concerned about Saturday’s attack, but that “you have to keep going on,” he said. “It would feel different someplace else.”Several city dwellers noted that in the wake of 9/11, the metropolis had proved its resilience. Dan Summa said he was concerned about Saturday’s attack, but that “you have to keep going on,” he said. “It would feel different someplace else.”
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The quiet town of Linden, New Jersey, were shaken on Monday morning by the gun battle between Ahmad Khan Rahami and police, witnesses tell my colleague Mazin Sidahmed in the town.The quiet town of Linden, New Jersey, were shaken on Monday morning by the gun battle between Ahmad Khan Rahami and police, witnesses tell my colleague Mazin Sidahmed in the town.
“How could this actually happen here in Linden New Jersey?” wondered local Tosha Hardrick, visibly flustered. “It’s not what I would expect.”“How could this actually happen here in Linden New Jersey?” wondered local Tosha Hardrick, visibly flustered. “It’s not what I would expect.”
In Linden, police have taped off several streets, blocking residents from reaching their homes. Several different police agencies were present and a helicopter circled above.In Linden, police have taped off several streets, blocking residents from reaching their homes. Several different police agencies were present and a helicopter circled above.
Hardrick was driving her cousin to work when she heard several gun shots go off. She looked to her left and saw a police officer carrying a backpack in front of a bar, where police are believed to have exchanged fire with the suspect.Hardrick was driving her cousin to work when she heard several gun shots go off. She looked to her left and saw a police officer carrying a backpack in front of a bar, where police are believed to have exchanged fire with the suspect.
Vinnie, who declined to give his last name, was walking out of his house on Elizabeth Street when he saw cops cars rush past his house.Vinnie, who declined to give his last name, was walking out of his house on Elizabeth Street when he saw cops cars rush past his house.
“Then I hear gun shots, Boom Boom!” he said. “The cops are shooting and they’re shooting back at them.”“Then I hear gun shots, Boom Boom!” he said. “The cops are shooting and they’re shooting back at them.”
Adam Machala, who works as a plumber, had a come to a house on Elizabeth street for a job when he heard the gunshots go off. Police ran in the house and told him and the tenants to evacuate immediately.Adam Machala, who works as a plumber, had a come to a house on Elizabeth street for a job when he heard the gunshots go off. Police ran in the house and told him and the tenants to evacuate immediately.
“They were scared there might be a bomb in the building,” he said. He came back to the scene later to find Rahami handcuffed on the street with police and K9 units swarming the area.“They were scared there might be a bomb in the building,” he said. He came back to the scene later to find Rahami handcuffed on the street with police and K9 units swarming the area.
Qunicy Reyes was sitting in his house when he heard what he thought was firecrackers going off not to far away.Qunicy Reyes was sitting in his house when he heard what he thought was firecrackers going off not to far away.
“I just kept hearing it over and over,” he said. Eventually his mother called and told him what was happening.“I just kept hearing it over and over,” he said. Eventually his mother called and told him what was happening.
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Regulars at the Rahami family’s chicken shop – recently raided by the FBI – have described the suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami as “nice” and generous, my colleague Amber Jamieson reports from Elizabeth, New Jersey.Regulars at the Rahami family’s chicken shop – recently raided by the FBI – have described the suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami as “nice” and generous, my colleague Amber Jamieson reports from Elizabeth, New Jersey.
The family fought bitterly with the city in a federal lawsuit about the chicken shop, and ultimately lost their case to keep it open 24 hours. You can read the full lawsuit here.The family fought bitterly with the city in a federal lawsuit about the chicken shop, and ultimately lost their case to keep it open 24 hours. You can read the full lawsuit here.
“He was my friend,” said Brayant Ocampo, 17, a high school senior who lives nearby and regularly stopped off for late night cheese fries and fried chicken at First America Fried Chicken. “I wouldn’t think he would do something like that.”“He was my friend,” said Brayant Ocampo, 17, a high school senior who lives nearby and regularly stopped off for late night cheese fries and fried chicken at First America Fried Chicken. “I wouldn’t think he would do something like that.”
“I thought it was a lie. We always eat there. It’s crazy. They’re really, really nice,” said Melani Ragghinti, 18, Ocampo’s girlfriend and another local resident.“I thought it was a lie. We always eat there. It’s crazy. They’re really, really nice,” said Melani Ragghinti, 18, Ocampo’s girlfriend and another local resident.
“Basically when I went there, he would give me extra for whatever I would get. And I would see him at car meets. He was very cool,” said Ocampo. “I saw him once at the mall, we started walking around just talking,” he added.“Basically when I went there, he would give me extra for whatever I would get. And I would see him at car meets. He was very cool,” said Ocampo. “I saw him once at the mall, we started walking around just talking,” he added.
Ocampo said he’d often see Rahami working in the shop, along with his father and younger brother and sister, who he believed were both around 16 years old. Ocampo said he never saw a mother around.Ocampo said he’d often see Rahami working in the shop, along with his father and younger brother and sister, who he believed were both around 16 years old. Ocampo said he never saw a mother around.
“He’ll start around five in the afternoon and he’ll work literally till 2-2:30 in the morning, that’s when the chicken shop would close,” said Ocampo.“He’ll start around five in the afternoon and he’ll work literally till 2-2:30 in the morning, that’s when the chicken shop would close,” said Ocampo.
“He had a good job, they got good money. Everyone likes eating at the chicken shack,” said Ragghinti.“He had a good job, they got good money. Everyone likes eating at the chicken shack,” said Ragghinti.
Ocampo said Rahami was a car buff, who used to own an Acura TL, a popular luxury sedan, but crashed it.Ocampo said Rahami was a car buff, who used to own an Acura TL, a popular luxury sedan, but crashed it.
“He actually came up to me because he wanted to look for some parts he needed for the car and I helped him out. I was looking for some parts in the junkyard and he got the headlight, the bumper,” he said.“He actually came up to me because he wanted to look for some parts he needed for the car and I helped him out. I was looking for some parts in the junkyard and he got the headlight, the bumper,” he said.
Just a week ago, Ocampo said he walked past the chicken shop and briefly chatted to Rahami’s younger brother outside, while Rahami worked inside.Just a week ago, Ocampo said he walked past the chicken shop and briefly chatted to Rahami’s younger brother outside, while Rahami worked inside.
Ocampo said he knew Rahami was Muslim but he’d never heard any extremist views from him or any discussion of politics or terrorism. The only thing he’d encountered was some quiet religious study.Ocampo said he knew Rahami was Muslim but he’d never heard any extremist views from him or any discussion of politics or terrorism. The only thing he’d encountered was some quiet religious study.
“One day I was in the chicken shack and he had a book and he was reading the book while he was listening to music and I asked ‘how can you do that and what kind of book?’. He said it was some kind of religion book, supposedly they read it while they’re listening to music,” said Ocampo.“One day I was in the chicken shack and he had a book and he was reading the book while he was listening to music and I asked ‘how can you do that and what kind of book?’. He said it was some kind of religion book, supposedly they read it while they’re listening to music,” said Ocampo.
“He would always be there, and usually when there was no customers he would be there reading it. He said it was like a bible but runs in his religion.”“He would always be there, and usually when there was no customers he would be there reading it. He said it was like a bible but runs in his religion.”
Neither Ocampo nor Ragghinti could understand Rahami’s actions. “I don’t understand why he would do something like that, obviously he would get caught eventually. He had a good business going on. He just fucked up his life,” said Ragghinti.Neither Ocampo nor Ragghinti could understand Rahami’s actions. “I don’t understand why he would do something like that, obviously he would get caught eventually. He had a good business going on. He just fucked up his life,” said Ragghinti.
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A federal law enforcement official has told the AP that the three bombs found in New York and New Jersey had one component in common: a flip-style cellphone.A federal law enforcement official has told the AP that the three bombs found in New York and New Jersey had one component in common: a flip-style cellphone.
The official says a pipe bomb that exploded in Seaside Park, New Jersey, was constructed with a threaded pipe and black powder.The official says a pipe bomb that exploded in Seaside Park, New Jersey, was constructed with a threaded pipe and black powder.
The official says two devices found in New York City included pressure cookers, similar to the devices used in the 2013 attack the Boston Marathon that killed three and wounded hundreds of people. The device that exploded contained residue from the commercially available explosive compound Tannerite.The official says two devices found in New York City included pressure cookers, similar to the devices used in the 2013 attack the Boston Marathon that killed three and wounded hundreds of people. The device that exploded contained residue from the commercially available explosive compound Tannerite.
The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the case and spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the ongoing investigation.The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the case and spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the ongoing investigation.
The two New York bombs were pressure cookers filled with shrapnel and made with pressure cookers, flip phones and Christmas lights, according to law enforcement sources who spoke to the New York Times on condition of anonymity. The unexploded bomb may have been accidentally disabled by two men who took the bag, according to police sources who spoke to local DNA Info, prompting one of their law enforcement sources to ask: “Who in this world finds a pressure cooker with a phone and just takes the bag?”The two New York bombs were pressure cookers filled with shrapnel and made with pressure cookers, flip phones and Christmas lights, according to law enforcement sources who spoke to the New York Times on condition of anonymity. The unexploded bomb may have been accidentally disabled by two men who took the bag, according to police sources who spoke to local DNA Info, prompting one of their law enforcement sources to ask: “Who in this world finds a pressure cooker with a phone and just takes the bag?”
The suspect is in custody. Thank you to our first responders who have performed with extraordinary skill and courage over the past two days.The suspect is in custody. Thank you to our first responders who have performed with extraordinary skill and courage over the past two days.
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What we know so farWhat we know so far
They close the press conference with a refusal to provide details about how they linked the devices to the suspect.They close the press conference with a refusal to provide details about how they linked the devices to the suspect.
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NYPD chief Boyce comments on the apparent accidental help of two petty thieves who took the second bomb found Saturday, on 27th street, out of the unattended package it was in.NYPD chief Boyce comments on the apparent accidental help of two petty thieves who took the second bomb found Saturday, on 27th street, out of the unattended package it was in.
“Two people picked up the bag, took the device out of it and walked off with the bag,” he says. “They looked like they were two gentlemen just strolling up 7th Avenue at the time,” he adds. “Once they picked up the bag, they seemed incredulous.“Two people picked up the bag, took the device out of it and walked off with the bag,” he says. “They looked like they were two gentlemen just strolling up 7th Avenue at the time,” he adds. “Once they picked up the bag, they seemed incredulous.
“We’re considering them witnesses at this time,” he says, adding that they will release pictures caught on surveillance footage of the men and ask them to come forward.“We’re considering them witnesses at this time,” he says, adding that they will release pictures caught on surveillance footage of the men and ask them to come forward.
Sweeney says Rahami did not make any statements during his apprehension, as far as he knows. O’Neill repeats that they are not looking for a second suspect: “Right now we’re not actively seeking anyone.”Sweeney says Rahami did not make any statements during his apprehension, as far as he knows. O’Neill repeats that they are not looking for a second suspect: “Right now we’re not actively seeking anyone.”
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Sweeney stresses that there’s a lot of work to be done about the Rahami’s motivation: “I do not have information yet to show what the path of radicalization was yet.”Sweeney stresses that there’s a lot of work to be done about the Rahami’s motivation: “I do not have information yet to show what the path of radicalization was yet.”
At this point we are extremely grateful that we were able to apprehend the suspect out in Linden, New Jersey, he says.At this point we are extremely grateful that we were able to apprehend the suspect out in Linden, New Jersey, he says.
We are the number one target in the world, but as far as this investigation, and working with the FBI, “I know that I’m a lot happier than I was at this time yesterday.”We are the number one target in the world, but as far as this investigation, and working with the FBI, “I know that I’m a lot happier than I was at this time yesterday.”
O’Neill praises “good old fashioned police work” as well as the technology used in the investigation. De Blasio says authorities are not looking for a second suspect at this time.O’Neill praises “good old fashioned police work” as well as the technology used in the investigation. De Blasio says authorities are not looking for a second suspect at this time.
He warns people to stay on the lookout for suspicious people or objects, “particularly an unattended package, that they report it immediately.”He warns people to stay on the lookout for suspicious people or objects, “particularly an unattended package, that they report it immediately.”
Sweeney comments on the fact that Rahami was captured alive. “The fact that he survived is excellent, both from an investigative standpoint and that we saved a life.”Sweeney comments on the fact that Rahami was captured alive. “The fact that he survived is excellent, both from an investigative standpoint and that we saved a life.”
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Sweeney is asked about how exactly they identified Rahami – there are reports anonymously sourced to law enforcement saying that the first ID’d him with a fingerprint. Sweeney’s answer is oblique: “Any piece of evidence that we obtained whether it’s a piece, a fragment or whole, is worthwhile, so I will leave it at that.”Sweeney is asked about how exactly they identified Rahami – there are reports anonymously sourced to law enforcement saying that the first ID’d him with a fingerprint. Sweeney’s answer is oblique: “Any piece of evidence that we obtained whether it’s a piece, a fragment or whole, is worthwhile, so I will leave it at that.”
O’Neill is asked about motivation. “We don’t have that yet,” he says, “that’s all part of the investigation.”O’Neill is asked about motivation. “We don’t have that yet,” he says, “that’s all part of the investigation.”