Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Video Archive Almanac
About Feedback Privacy Policy
About Feedback Privacy Policy
Search
Trending
Government shutdown
Tiger Woods
New England Patriots
Impeachment
Alamo
Battle of the Bulge
Jersey shooting
Jeff Van Drew
John Bolton
U.S. News
Sept. 19, 2016 / 3:12 PM

Suspect in 3 bombings arrested after shootout; NYPD, FBI look for terror ties

“Lot of -- lot of gunfire,” witness Derek Pelligra said of the suspect's capture Monday.

By
Andrew V. Pestano and Doug G. Ware
President Barack Obama holds a press conference Monday about the recent bombings in the New York City area. Pool Photo by Anthony Behar/UPI
President Barack Obama holds a press conference Monday about the recent bombings in the New York City area. Pool Photo by Anthony Behar/UPI | License Photo
President Barack Obama holds a press conference Monday about the recent bombings in the New York City area. Pool Photo by Anthony Behar/UPI | License Photo
President Barack Obama holds a press conference Monday about the recent bombings in the New York City area. Pool Photo by Anthony Behar/UPI | License Photo
Ahmad Khan Rahami, 28, has been arrested in connection to the Chelsea bombing on Saturday that injured 29 people, as well as two other bombings in New Jersey. Rahami is an American citizen originally from Afghanistan. FBI photos

NEW YORK, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- After an intensive manhunt that included police reaching out to millions of residents in the New York City metropolitan area, authorities on Monday captured the man they believe is responsible for an explosion in Manhattan this weekend that injured more than two dozen people.

The New York City Police Department had been looking for Ahmad Khan Rahami in connection to the Saturday night blast, as well as an earlier bombing in New Jersey. During the hunt, the NYPD issued a cellphone alert to millions of residents in the area with Rahami's name and description.

Authorities cornered Rahami on Monday in Linden, N.J., after a tipster spotted him sleeping in the doorway of a bar and called police.

RELATED IED in backpack at N.J. Elizabeth Train Station explodes

When a police officer arrived, the suspect pulled a gun and shot him in the abdomen area -- but the bullet was stopped by his Kevlar vest.

RELATED New York increases security ahead of U.N. General Assembly

"The officer returned fire," Linden police Capt. James Sarnicki said, adding that Rahami also indiscriminately fired his weapons at passing vehicles.

Rahami was ultimately shot in the shoulder a short while later, as was a police officer, after he fled the area and was cornered by police. He was then arrested and hospitalized.

"Lot of -- lot of gunfire," Derek Pelligra, a manager at Linden Auto Body, told The New York Times.

RELATED IED in backpack at N.J. Elizabeth Train Station explodes

"The response by the FBI, the ATF, fire department, EMS, the Port Authority and the state police, they all went into danger," NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill, who assumed the post the day before the explosion, said at a news conference Monday. "I'm just so proud of what I saw."

"A lot more information is coming in all the time," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said, adding that investigators are still gathering information. "We have every reason to believe this was an act of terror."

RELATED Gov. Chris Christie says New Jersey pipe bomb 'clearly an act of terrorism'

Twenty-nine people were injured about 8:30 p.m. Saturday when a bomb exploded in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood. Hours earlier, about 10:15 a.m., a bomb had exploded at New Jersey's Seaside Park; no injures were reported.

Investigators are trying to determine if Rahami, a U.S. citizen originally from Afghanistan, was influenced by or has any connections to international militant groups.

According to the Times report, acquaintances said Rahami traveled to Afghanistan a few years ago and returned to the United States showing signs of radicalization. But it wasn't immediately known why he made the trip.

Rahami's last known address was in Elizabeth, N.J., where officials believe he was also responsible for a third bombing incident late Sunday at the train station. The source of that blast, police say, was a backpack containing improvised explosives. No one was hurt.

RELATED Sunday: 5 arrested in connection to NYC bombing

The FBI launched a raid at Rahami's apartment, which is about a mile away from the train station.

President Barack Obama, in New York City Monday to attend United Nations General Assembly, said authorities "are extremely fortunate and grateful that nobody was killed." He also praised the people and police of New York for their "resiliency," de Blasio said.

"They are trying to hurt innocent people, but they are also trying to inspire fear in all of us," Obama said of the perpetrators. "We all have a role to play as citizens in making sure we don't succumb to that fear."

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement that "no international groups have put out statements taking credit" for the explosions, but noted that it's possible there's could be a link to some foreign terror faction.

  • Topics
  • Andrew Cuomo
  • War in Afghanistan
  • Barack Obama
  • Bill de Blasio

Latest Headlines

Snow, sleet forecast for Northeast as part of wintry double-header
U.S. News // 49 minutes ago
Snow, sleet forecast for Northeast as part of wintry double-header
Dec. 16 -- The wintry weather will come courtesy of a double-barreled storm shifting eastward out of the central part of the United States.

Until deal is done, federal workers fear gov't shutdown this week
U.S. News // 3 hours ago
Until deal is done, federal workers fear gov't shutdown this week
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- With a deadline looming this week for another federal government shutdown -- a year after the longest in U.S. history -- a number of federal workers are eyeing another round of potential furloughs and missed paychecks.

House judiciary committee details Trump charges in impeachment report
U.S. News // 5 hours ago
House judiciary committee details Trump charges in impeachment report
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Days before the full House is expected to vote on two articles of impeachment brought against President Donald Trump, the House judiciary committee released a report Monday detailing how it came to its accusations.

Schumer requests Mulvaney, Bolton to testify in Senate's impeachment trial
U.S. News // 8 hours ago
Schumer requests Mulvaney, Bolton to testify in Senate's impeachment trial
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats want to hear from four administration officials during the Senate's forthcoming impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

5 staffers to Democrat lawmaker Jeff Van Drew resign
U.S. News // 10 hours ago
5 staffers to Democrat lawmaker Jeff Van Drew resign
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Five staff members of Rep. Jeff Van Drew said Sunday they resigned from his office due to the New Jersey lawmaker's decision to switch allegiance from the Democrats to the Republicans.

3 bodies discovered at the Alamo
U.S. News // 12 hours ago
3 bodies discovered at the Alamo
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Archaeologists have discovered the remains of three people buried in a monk burial room and nave at the historic Alamo Church in Texas, officials said.

Pawn shop owner arrested on weapons charges after connection to Jersey City shooters
U.S. News // 15 hours ago
Pawn shop owner arrested on weapons charges after connection to Jersey City shooters
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A New Jersey man was arrested after being connected to the two suspects who shot and killed a police officer and three other people in Jersey City.

House Democrats rebuke Senate GOPs for quick impeachment trial goal
U.S. News // 17 hours ago
House Democrats rebuke Senate GOPs for quick impeachment trial goal
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- House Democratic leaders on Sunday rebuked Republican Senate leaders who said they would work with President Donald Trump and seek to ensure a speedy impeachment trial.

Storms to bring one-two punch of wintry weather from Missouri to Maine
U.S. News // 21 hours ago
Storms to bring one-two punch of wintry weather from Missouri to Maine
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A swath of disruptive snow and ice will stretch from the mid-Mississippi Valley through the Northeast during the first part of this week.

EF1 tornado leaves path of damage, downed power lines in Florida
U.S. News // 1 day ago
EF1 tornado leaves path of damage, downed power lines in Florida
EF-1 tornado Saturday morning in Flagler County, Fla.

Trending Stories

Pawn shop owner arrested on weapons charges after connection to Jersey City shooters
Pawn shop owner arrested on weapons charges after connection to Jersey City shooters
6.8 magnitude earthquake shakes southern Philippines
6.8 magnitude earthquake shakes southern Philippines
Storms to bring one-two punch of wintry weather from Missouri to Maine
Storms to bring one-two punch of wintry weather from Missouri to Maine
3 bodies discovered at the Alamo
3 bodies discovered at the Alamo
House Democrats rebuke Senate GOPs for quick impeachment trial goal
House Democrats rebuke Senate GOPs for quick impeachment trial goal

Photo Gallery

 
Adam Sandler, The Weeknd attend premiere of 'Uncut Gems' in LA
Adam Sandler, The Weeknd attend premiere of 'Uncut Gems' in LA

Latest News

LeBron James feeds Dwight Howard dunk with no-look, between legs pass
Chance the Rapper cancels 'Big' tour: 'I'm deeply sorry'
Champions League draw: Manchester City gets Real Madrid, Liverpool vs. Atletico
'Top Gun: Maverick': Tom Cruise takes to the skies in new trailer
Chuy Bravo, Chelsea Handler's sidekick, dead at 63
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy