2010 Times Square car bombing attempt
On May 1, 2010, a terrorist attack was attempted in Times Square in Manhattan, New York, United States. Two street vendors alerted NYPD after they spotted smoke coming from a vehicle, and a car bomb was discovered.[1][2] The bomb had been ignited, but failed to explode, and was disarmed before it caused any casualties.[1][3][4] Two days later, federal agents arrested Faisal Shahzad, a 30-year-old Pakistan-born resident of Bridgeport, Connecticut, who had become a U.S. citizen in April 2009.[5] He was arrested after he had boarded Emirates Flight 202 to Dubai at John F. Kennedy International Airport.[5][6][7][8] He admitted attempting the car bombing and said that he had trained at a Pakistani terrorist training camp, according to U.S. officials.[9]
2010 Times Square car bombing attempt
1 Astor Plaza/1515 Broadway, New York City (Times Square, Manhattan) 10036, United States
- Car bombing (failed attempt)
- terrorism
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United States Attorney General Eric Holder said that Shahzad's intent had been "to kill Americans."[5] Shahzad was charged in federal court in Manhattan on May 4 with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and other federal crimes related to explosives.[5] More than a dozen people were arrested by Pakistani officials in connection with the plot. Holder said the Pakistani Taliban directed the attack and may have financed it.[10]
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned of "severe consequences" if an attack like this were to be successful and traced back to Pakistan.[11] The Obama administration saw a need for retaliatory options, including a unilateral military strike in Pakistan, if a future successful attack was to be traced to Pakistan-based militants.[12]
On October 5, 2010, Shahzad was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to a 10-count indictment in June, including charges of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting an act of terrorism.[13]
Initial investigation[edit]
Early stages[edit]
Shortly after the bomb was discovered, the police looked for a male who was seen on surveillance footage, changing his shirt in Shubert Alley (which runs between 44th and 45th Streets, just west of Broadway).[26][27] By May 4, however, he was no longer of interest to the police.[28] Investigators also looked for another person captured on video running north on Broadway, away from the area.[29]
In the early stages of the investigation, officials considered several possibilities as to the identity and motive of the perpetrator. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly speculated that the attack could be lone-wolf terrorism, saying: "A terrorist act doesn't necessarily have to be conducted by an organization, an individual can do it on their own."[27] Investigators compared similarities between the Times Square device and the two devices discovered outside a London bar in the al-Qaeda 2007 London car bombs.[30][31]
The police also investigated whether the bomb was planted in relation to threats posted on the Revolution Muslim website against the creators of the controversial animated sitcom South Park.[32][30] The episodes "200" and "201", originally aired on April 14 and 21, 2010, had offended some with their irreverent depiction of the prophet Muhammed.[33] Ultimately, it was determined that the bomber had trained for months prior to the first broadcast of "200".[34]
E-ZPass and other camera records at toll plazas were reviewed to identify where the Pathfinder entered Manhattan.[32] Law enforcement officials reviewed hours of security camera footage from at least 82 surveillance cameras in the area to attempt to track the suspect's movements before and after the bomb.[35][36]
Arrest, questioning, and prosecution[edit]
Arrest and searches[edit]
On May 3, federal authorities confirmed Shahzad as a person of interest in the attack.[25][89] At 11:45 pm EDT, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested him at John F. Kennedy International Airport.[5] It had been just over 53 hours since the bombing attempt.[90] He was detained just moments before his flight, Emirates Flight 202 to Dubai, left the gate.[25][26][29] His destination was Islamabad, Pakistan, and he had paid for his estimated $800 ticket in cash.[26][67][91] After he was arrested, Shahzad directed authorities to his car which he had driven to and parked at the airport, a white Isuzu Trooper.[92][93] His Kel-Tec 9 mm Sub Rifle 2000 was inside it, along with five full magazines of ammunition.[52][71][87]
The FBI and NYPD searched Shahzad's apartment in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on May 4.[20][26][67] Keys that had been found in the Pathfinder fit the home's front door.[53] Materials related to the bomb were found in his apartment and its garage, including packaging for alarm clocks, fireworks, and fertilizer.[52][53][71]
Claims of responsibility[edit]
Initially, according to a report by the Associated Press, a Pakistani Taliban group claimed responsibility for an attack against the U.S. in a video posted on YouTube, saying it was revenge for the killing of Baitullah Mehsud and the top leaders of al-Qaida in Iraq — Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyub al-Masri — as well as for general American "interference and terrorism in Muslim Countries, especially in Pakistan." However, "The tape makes no specific reference to the attack; it does not mention that it was a car bomb or that it took place in New York City".[149] According to The New York Times and the New York Daily News, the same group has made far-fetched, false claims for other attacks in the past.[38][32]
On May 6, however, a Pakistani Taliban spokesman said it was not involved with the attempted bombing, but added: "Such attacks are welcome. We have no relation with Faisal. However, he is our Muslim brother. We feel proud of Faisal. He did a brave job."[150] On May 9, The New York Times opined that the retraction may have been prompted by fears that admission of responsibility might result in an attack on the Pakistan Taliban in North Waziristan by the U.S. or Pakistan.[151]
On May 9, however, Holder said "We've now developed evidence that shows the Pakistani Taliban was behind the attack," directed the plot, and may have financed it.[10] The Taliban in Pakistan is believed by some military intelligence officials to have joined forces with al-Qaeda.[10] John Brennan, President Obama's chief counterterrorism adviser, said: "He was trained by [the Taliban in Pakistan].[10] He received funding from them. He was basically directed here to the United States to carry out this attack." Some military intelligence officials believe the Taliban in Pakistan has joined forces with al-Qaeda.[10] John Brennan, President Obama's chief counterterrorism adviser, said: "It's a group that is closely allied with al-Qaeda. They train together, they plan together, they plot together. They are almost indistinguishable."[152]
Several other groups claimed responsibility, without any corroborating evidence or verified data.[149][153]