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Minnesota mosque explosion: FBI says it is investigating possible hate crime Minnesota mosque explosion: FBI says it is investigating possible hate crime
(35 minutes later)
The FBI is looking for suspects in an explosion at a Minnesota mosque where worshippers had assembled for morning prayers. Officials are investigating whether the explosion was a hate crime. The FBI is looking for suspects in an explosion at a Minnesota mosque where worshippers had assembled for morning prayers. Officials are investigating whether the explosion was a hate crime.
More follows. The blast went off early Saturday morning at the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington, according to Bloomington Police Chief Jeff Potts. A room in the mosque was damaged, but no people were harmed.
Richard Thornton, special agent in charge of the FBI's Minneapolis Division, said the blast appeared to have been caused by an improvised explosive device. The FBI recovered pieces of the device from the scene.
The agency is now looking for the person responsible for the explosion, and seeking to determine whether it was a hate crime.
They FBI have so far interviewed witnesses, sent evidence to labs, and collected video and cellphone data for analysis.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke is also aware of the situation, and is in contact with federal and local authorities.
“The Department of Homeland Security fully supports the rights of all to freely and safely worship the faith of their choosing and we vigorously condemn such attacks on any religious institution,” the DHS said in a statement. “We are thankful that there were no injuries, but that does not diminish the serious nature of this act.”
Neighbours reported waking up to a loud bang on Saturday morning, in the usually sleepy suburb. Windows in the imam's office were shattered, and smoke poured through the building. Asad Zaman, director of the local Muslim American Society, called the attack a "firebombing".
More follows...