During a speech in Colorado Springs on September 17, Donald Trump told a crowd that a “bomb” went off in New York City, referring to the explosion at the corner of 23rd Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan. During a press conference on Saturday morning, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called the cause of the explosion a “bomb,” but said there appears to be no ties to international terrorism.
“I must tell you that just before I got off the plane, a bomb went off in New York and nobody knows exactly what’s going on,” Trump said, according to The Washington Post’s Sean Sullivan. “But boy, we are living in a time… we better get tough folks. We better get very, very tough. (Inaudible) It’s a terrible thing that’s going on in our world, in our country and we are going to get tough and smart and vigilant.”
It’s also been reported by CNN and NBC News that Trump was “briefed” before he left his plane about the explosion and before the New York Police and Fire Departments confirmed what caused it. During a press conference after 11 p.m., Mayor Bill De Blasio said that officials do believe it was an “intentional act,” although there is no evidence to link it to terrorism. Police have not determined the cause of the explosion yet.
The explosion, which occurred at around 8:30 p.m. ET, caused 29 confirmed injuries, one of which is considered serious.
As of now there are 29 injuries, one considered serious.
We do think this was an intentional act. You can help your #NYPD. If you saw/heard something, please call 800-577-TIPS and/or 888-NYC-SAFE.
CNN’s Noah Gray reported that Trump was “briefed” on the explosion in New York City before he left the plane. NBC News’ Katy Tur also tweeted that a source told her that Trump was “briefed” before he left the plane. However, it’s not clear who “briefed” him before the NYPD even held a press conference.
Reported ‘explosion’ in NY at 8:30. At 9:10 Trump tells CO a “bomb” went off. Source says trump was ‘briefed’ on plane. Who briefed him? (1)
The NYPD confirmed on Twitter that there were multiple injuries.
25 injuries to civilians confirmed at 133 W 23 St #Chelsea. None appear to be life-threatening at this time
Gray also reports that officials have told CNN that gas was ruled out as the cause.
Officials tell @CNN gas has been ruled out in cause of NYC explosion
The New York Police Department Counterterrorism unit posted a photo that appears to show a dumpster.
#Update re: Explosion (photo)
Sources told the New York Daily News that police were questioning a possible suspect about eight blocks from the scene of the explosion.
NYPD Special Ops tweeted that a “possible secondary device” was located at 27th street, between 6th and 7th avenues.
A possible secondary device has been located @ 27th Street, 6th – 7th Avenues. #NYPD nvestigations are ongoing. Avoid the area @NYPD13Pct
Here is video of the explosion.
On Saturday morning, Cuomo also said that the explosion doesn’t appear to have ties to international terrorism. However, he still called it “one of the nightmare scenarios,” adding that, “We are very lucky that there were no fatalities.”
“Whoever placed these bombs… we will find them and they will be brought to justice,” Cuomo said.
On Monday, the FBI released a wanted poster for Ahmed Khan Rahami, a naturalized American citizen from Afghanistan who is believed to be connected to the bombing in New York City and to two other blasts in New Jersey. He most recently lived in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Both Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama were delivering speeches to a meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus at the time of the explosion. NBC News’ Monica Alba reports that Clinton was briefed after her speech.
HRC’s staff informed her of reported explosions in both NYC & Charlottesville tonight after she finished speaking at #CBC2016, per an aide
The President was also made aware of the situation.
President Obama has been briefed on the explosion in #Chelsea t.co/0lApAkIN7R
When Clinton spoke with reports, she said that she was briefed, but will let local authorities complete their investigations before jumping to conclusions.
“I hink it’s always wiser to wait until you have information before making conclusions, because we are just in the beginning stages of trying to determine what happened,” Clinton said, reports Ruby Cramer of BuzzFeed.
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