Residents across the New York City area received smartphone messages on Monday morning that the FBI had identified a suspect in connection with Saturday night’s bombing in Manhattan, and the mass alert seemed to work.
Ahmad Khan Rahami, who was sought for questioning in connection with the Sept. 17 blast in Chelsea that left 29 people injured, was taken into custody after being shot by police during an “encounter” in Linden, NJ, according to The New York Times. He was wounded, but apparently not seriously; he was observed being handcuffed at the scene.
Federal agents are looking into a possible link between the bombing and two incidents in New Jersey this weekend: a pipe bomb explosion near the course of a charity footrace in Seaside Heights and a number of pipebombs found near a train station in Elizabeth.
The city, always a target for terrorism, is on high alert in the wake of these incidents. Extra police details, including bomb-sniffing dogs, were dispatched to transit hubs including the Woodside train station.
On Sunday night, authorities took into custody five men believed to be connected with the incidents who were stopped in their vehicle on the Belt Parkway near the Verrazano Bridge in Brooklyn. Those men are still being questioned.
Rahami is said to be a 28-year-old U.S. citizen of Afghani descent who last resided in Elizabeth, NJ. He stands 5 foot 6 inches tall, weighs 200 pounds and has brown eyes, hair and a beard. The FBI identified him as being armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information about the bombing is urged to call the FBI immediately at 800-225-5324. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
If you see a suspicious or unattended package or bag on a bus or train, or at a bus stop or train station, call 888-NYC-SAFE immediately.
