BY SEAN EGAN | While Chelsea has, in large part, rebounded from last week’s bombing of W. 23rd St. (btw. Sixth & Seventh Aves.) — taking things in stride as vehicular and pedestrian traffic reopened alongside local businesses — the story continues to develop. Over the past week, more information on the bomber has come to light, and elected officials have been dealing with the aftermath the attack — which was but one part of a larger terror plan that included explosives placed in two different New Jersey towns.
The Chelsea bomb detonated at around 8:30 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 17, from a dumpster near the King David Gallery (131 W. 23rd St.) and Selis Manor (135 W. 23rd St.), an affordable housing center for the blind and visually impaired. The blast shook surrounding buildings, shattered windows, and injured 31 people — though none seriously, as all were released from the hospital within days. Another bomb (constructed of a pressure cooker, wires, and a cellphone) was found on W. 27th St., though this device did not detonate, after two men removed the bomb from the travel bag it was housed in, took the bag, and left.
On Wed., Sept. 28., after a weeklong search instigated by the police and FBI, authorities were able to identify and locate these two men who encountered the W. 27th St. bomb. They were visitors from Egypt, and since returned to that country after the explosion. There’s no evidence that these two had any connection to the bombing, but the FBI is seeking to speak to them as witnesses in the case.
Also on Sept. 17, a bomb went off at the starting line of a 5K run in Seaside, NJ (no deaths or injuries), and the next day undetonated pipe bombs were found at a NJ Transit station in Elizabeth, NJ.
By Mon., Sept. 19, authorities identified 28-year-old Ahmad Khan Rahami — an American citizen of Afghan descent, who settled in New Jersey as a child — as the prime suspect in the bombings. He was taken into custody shortly thereafter by police, following a chase and shootout in Linden, NJ, which left the alleged bomber wounded and two police officers injured. He was charged on multiple counts in New York and New Jersey, as well as federally.
Following the arrest, more information on Rahami was discovered, including his troubling online history/purchases, and a handwritten journal containing jihadist messages. Since 2011, he made multiple trips to Afghanistan and Pakistan, where Rahami, who had previously embraced American culture, began to be drawn into the allure of Islamic extremism and jihad. Tensions escalated so far that, in a 2014 incident, Rahami stabbed his brothers and mother in New Jersey, and his father reported to the FBI that he was worried his son may be a terrorist. After a few weeks, the FBI’s review of the situation drew to a close.
Elected officials continued to deal with fallout in the week after blast, after aiding in immediate recovery efforts. On Sept. 20, US Congressmember Nydia Velázquez called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to aid the small businesses affected by the bombing. He vowed to do just that, via emergency grants, during a press conference the very next day — flanked by electeds such as State Senator Brad Hoylman, State Assemblymember Richard Gottfried, and City Councilmember Corey Johnson (all of whom were active following the explosion, including taking a trip to Selis Manor).
“We are making state emergency assistance available immediately to those who have suffered economically during the explosion,” Cuomo said, noting that small businesses, homeowners and renters could contact the state’s Department of Financial Services to get help dealing with uninsured losses.
By Sun., Sept. 25, New York Senator Charles Schumer was involved, as the bombing brought the shortcomings of the Wireless Emergency Alert System to the fore. The system, which is limited to 90 characters, was used shortly after Rahami was identified to send a message reading “WANTED: Ahmad Khan Rahami, 28-yr-old male. See media for pic. Call 9-1-1 if seen” to millions of area phones. The messaging system drew criticism for essentially requiring recipients to independently search for the suspect’s photo online in order to be useful, in addition to stoking worries that the text-only alert could contribute to the increased stereotyping/harassment of Muslims and/or people of Middle Eastern descent while in the throes of the manhunt.
“We are in an age where sending a photo or video via text is commonplace, yet when it comes to the nation’s Wireless Emergency Alert System our texting capabilities are limited. Last week’s terror threat here in New York highlighted a major weakness,” said Schumer, calling on the Federal Communications Commission to quickly update the 90s-era system to be more effective.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the investigation is still ongoing. Authorities believe Rahami worked alone, and that there is no evidence to suggest foreign support or a local cell was involved. Reportedly, he has not spoken to the police since being taken into custody, and has been in and out of consciousness. The ACLU, who is defending Rahami, has criticized the lack of access to their client.
