POSTED 2:30 p.m. | Mon., Sept. 19, 2016 | BY SEAN EGAN | In the aftermath of any seismic event, it can be hard to keep up with all of the crucial information. For that reason, we’ve put together this guide to facts you should know, as well as useful community resources — to be updated periodically, as the situation develops.
THE SUSPECT | Authorities now have Ahmad Khan Rahami, their prime suspect in connection to the W. 23rd St. explosion of Sat., Sept. 17, in custody. They apprehended him around 11:30 a.m. on Mon., Sept. 19 following a shootout in Linden, New Jersey, that left the suspect with a bloodied right shoulder, and taken out on an ambulance/stretcher. Two officers were hit in the altercation.
Rahami is a 28-year-old US citizen of Afghan descent (and born in Afghanistan), whose last known address was in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He’s described as about 5’ 6”, 200 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair/facial hair. Prior to the Sept. 17 explosion, he was caught on security cameras in the W. 23rd St. area, as well as in the W. 27th St. area (where a pressure cooker bomb was discovered).
Rahami is also suspected of having connection to, or being responsible for, two other bomb-related incidents that took place over the weekend in New Jersey.
On the evening of Sun., Sept. 18, a vehicle believed to belong to Rahami’s family was stopped. As reported by our colleagues at BrooklynDaily.com, the car was coming over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island. The FBI took the five individuals in the vehicle into custody for questioning. They were released the following afternoon when, Brooklyn Daily reported, it was determined “they did not have a hand in Saturday’s bombing in Chelsea.”
THE EXPLOSION | The explosion occurred on the evening of Sat., Sept. 17 around 8:30 p.m., on W. 23rd St. (btw. Sixth & Seventh Aves.).
The blast, which shook nearby buildings and shattered windows, injured 29 people, though none of these injuries were life-threatening.
The origin of the explosion is believed to be 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.
In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, another bomb — constructed out of a pressure cooker, wires, and a cellphone — was discovered four blocks away on W. 27th St., though this device did not detonate.
Two other bomb incidents are believed to be related to the Chelsea explosion:
First, a bomb exploded in Seaside Park, NJ at around 9:30 a.m. on Sat., Sept. 17. It was placed in a garbage can near the starting line of a 5K run for the Marine Corps. Luckily, there were no injuries, as the race was delayed, and thus no one was waiting at the starting line when the bomb was timed to detonate.
Later, at 9:30 p.m. on the evening of Sun., Sept. 18, a backpack containing five similarly constructed pipe bombs was found in a trash can at an NJ Transit station in Elizabeth, NJ. A bomb-diffusing robot accidentally detonated one while attempting to disable it.
RESPONSE FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS | President Obama held a press conference regarding the incidents in Chelsea and New Jersey this morning, where he commended the first responders and said, “The investigation is moving rapidly,” and that New York and New Jersey would have “all federal support” with the investigation. He also reiterated, “If you see something suspicious, then you need to say something.”
On Sat., Sept. 18, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo surveyed the explosion scene with authorities. Later that day, de Blasio called the incident “an intentional act,” though he would not ascribe any larger political motivation to the explosion at the time. In contrast, Cuomo commented that, while the motivations were unknown, “It’s terrorism when a bomb explodes in New York City.”
District 3 City Councilmember Corey Johnson, whose district includes Chelsea, told Chelsea Now, “The people of Chelsea will not be cowed by acts of violence and intimidation. When faced with challenges, we come together as a community and emerge even stronger,” in the aftermath. He has also been very active on Twitter (@CoreyinNYC), keeping his constituents updated on developments, and highlighting resources available to locals affected.
COMMUNITY INFO & RESOURCES | As of Monday morning, W. 23rd St. remains closed between Fifth & Seventh Aves., as authorities continue to investigate the area.
Similarly, Sixth Ave. remains closed between W. 25th & W. 14th Sts.
Public transit alterations: The E, F, and 1 trains will not be stopping at the 23rd St. or 28th St. station in either directions. The M5, M7 Northbound, M23, and X10, X17, X27, X28, and X1 Manhattan-bound buses are rerouted to avoid the affected area. Visit mta.info for updates.
There is a “Resident Support Center” in place at W. 23rd St. and Seventh Ave., in order to help residents with guidance and questions. In addition, they will help residents gain entrance to their homes and businesses with proof of residence/photo ID.
The Standard Hotel on the High Line (848 Washington St., btw. Little W. 12th & W. 13th Sts.) has offered free dinner and a room to residents of W. 23rd St. (btw. Fifth & Sixth Aves.) with proof of address.
The Red Cross/NYC Emergency Management has been providing lunch and dinner to residents of a nearby assisted living facility, and have volunteers on hand helping the first responders, and providing mental health support. A Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle, distributing food and water, is parked outside of the Malibu Diner (163 W. 23rd St., btw. Sixth & Seventh Aves.) 24 hours a day, until further notice.
