An explosion occurred Saturday night in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, between 23rd Street and 6th Avenue, injuring almost 30 people.
That same night, an explosive device was found several blocks apart from the site of the explosion. Mayor Bill de Blasio labeled the explosion as an “intentional act” although he rejects the theory that a major terrorist organization is behind the crime. The first explosion occurred around 8:30 p.m. Authorities believe that it originated from a homemade explosive device.
The second device was found in a dumpster in 23rd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenue, but apparently, it failed to detonate. It was a pressure cooker bomb, the same kind used by the Boston Marathon attackers.
Explosion not terror-related
Three pipe bombs were detonated in New Jersey on Saturday morning, also inside a garbage container. A 5-kilometer charity race in benefit of Marines and sailors was planned to be held afterward. Both NYC and NJ explosive devices appeared to be rudimentary and acting on a timer.
The NYC explosion left 29 injured. Authorities stated that none of the victims were at risk of losing their lives as only one of them suffered a serious puncture and four were not driven to the hospital.
Authorities are investigating surveillance tapes from local sources to find the culprit. Hours after the explosion, police officers close down the vicinity and surveyed the scene with canine units.
Police flooded the streets of New York to ensure that people were aware of an inherent threat and that their law-enforcement officials were actively on duty.
Major de Blasio delivered a press statement where he addressed the danger in Saturday night’s events and recognized that New York City’s terrorist response procedures were at their best.
“We have in this city the most advanced anti-terror capacity of any city in this country and obviously the largest police force of any city in the country all ready to ensure our safety,” stated New York City Major Bill de Blasio.
Authorities are yet to find any suspect as no one has been apprehended for the use of the two explosive devices. Because there were no fatal victims and the second device failed to detonate, authorities believe that it could not have been the work of a major terrorist organization such as ISIS.
ISIS usually resorts to dramatic acts of violence where the attacker tends to kill itself alongside the victims. De Blasio said there was “no credible and specific threat” at the moment and that the NYC and the NJ explosions were not related.
Currently, the pressure cooker explosive device that failed to detonate is being investigated in a police firing range in the Bronx to look for fingerprints and any clues that will lead to capturing the perpetrators.
Source: CNN