Chelsea Bombing Suspect Apprehended In Linden, NJ
Chelsea/NJ Area Bombing Suspect, Ahmad Khan Rahami
The Associated Press reports a law enforcement official saying that Ahmad Khan Rahami, an Afghan immigrant, wanted in connection with explosions in New York City and New Jersey has been taken into custody following a shootout with police officers.
The official says two officers were shot in the encounter in Linden, New Jersey. The person wasn’t authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage says county authorities told him that the officers shot in Linden are expected to be OK. He says was one was struck in a protective vest and the other in the hand. [Via AP]
The bomb went off Saturday in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, injuring 29 people. All have been released from a hospital. There were no injuries in the two New Jersey bombings.
President Calls Mayor de Blasio, Pledges Continued Federal Support
Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Barack Obama spoke by phone after 10 AM this morning. The Mayor’s press office reported that President Obama again offered the federal government’s full assistance in the ongoing, multi-agency investigation into Saturday night’s bombing. According to the statement, “the Mayor and President each praised the continued cooperation and professionalism of the New York Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
The White House says President Barack Obama was briefed throughout the night and early Monday on the investigation into bombs found in New York City and New Jersey.
Mayor de Blasio Praises NYPD’s Anti-Terror Capacity
Earlier in the morning, Mayor de Blasio appeared on ABC’s ‘Good Morning, America.’ In response to a George Stephanopolous’ question, “Do you believe that there are more attacks possibly coming or do you believe the threat is contained?” Mayor de Blasio commended the amount of anti-terror capacity that the NYPD have out on the streets is extraordinary. “I think until we’ve pulled all of the pieces of the case together it’s pretty premature to say what might happen next,” said de Blasio.
He also expressed confidence that “we are going to find the individual or individuals involved, based on what I’ve heard in the last hours.” The Mayor was right. The NYPD Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence capabilities represents the largest anti-terror capacity of any police force in the nation. Together with the FBI and their partners in the Joint Terrorism Task Force got Ahmad Khan Rahami.
During the tenure of recently retired Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, he and Mayor de Blasio increased the anti-terror force in the last year to over 500 men and women who are specifically trained for anti-terror activity. They created the Critical Response Command, in addition to the Strategic Response Group and the Emergency Services Unit.
De Blasio promised listeners to 1010 WINS Radio that the Police Department’s CRC, SRG and ESU will be a visible and strong presence for the General Assembly.
De Blasio, Cuomo Toured Chelsea Area
Governor Andrew Cuomo says investigators have no reason to believe that there are further threats, but the public should “be on constant guard.”
Cuomo was at Penn Station to thank state troopers and National Guard members for their work protecting the public during and after the New York City and New Jersey shore town bombings.
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