The string of blasts that erupted this past weekend in areas of New York City and New Jersey has led FBI agents and police officers to search for Ahmad Khan Rahami, the New York Times reports. Earlier this morning, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that “Anyone seeing him should call 911 immediately.” He has now been taken into custody after being wounded by police gunfire, according to the Times.
CNN reports that there’s an air of mystery surrounding Rahami. Although the New York Times provides Rahami’s date of birth (January 23, 1988), physical description (5’6”, 200 pounds) and last known place of residence (Elizabeth, New Jersey), authorities have yet to release a thorough explanation as to why their evidence connects him to the explosions in Manhattan and areas of New Jersey.
In case you missed it, here’s the scoop: this weekend was—and still is—intense. According to USA Today, a surprise blast shook the shores of Seaside Heights, New Jersey. The pipe bomb reportedly injured no one, but the explosion that occurred shortly after in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood hurt 29 people. Fortunately there were no life-threatening situations, and those injured by the homemade device have since been released from hospital care. A second device was found in the same NYC neighborhood. However, police managed to remove the suspected pressure cooker before it had a chance to detonate.
As if this weren’t enough, five pipe bombs were found near an Elizabeth, N.J. train station Sunday night. Despite efforts to disarm one of the bomb, it exploded early Monday morning. There have been no known reports of injuries or damages to the area.
Mayor de Blasio has made it clear that safety is his top concern in the aftermath of these attacks.
“I want to be very clear that this individual could be armed and dangerous,” Mayor de Blasio said of Rahami during an interview on Monday morning.
USA Today reports that investigators are not aware of any connections between Rahami and Al Qaeda or any other international terrorist group. Regardless, May de Blasio told CNN that he “would not be surprised if we did have a foreign connection to the act.”
Hopefully, the coming days will bring some answers, especially now that Rahami has been arrested.