NY, NJ bombings: Suspect faces charges in federal court
New York (CNN)[Breaking news, updated 7:10 p.m. ET]
The suspect in Saturday’s bombings in New York and New Jersey has been charged with four counts in federal court: Use of a weapon of mass destruction, bombing, destruction of property and use of a destructive device.
The charges against Ahmad Rahami were filed in Manhattan by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.
[Original story published 4:18 p.m. ET]
Ahmad Rahami‘s father says he called the FBI two years ago when his son was acting violently.
That call adds to the mystery surrounding Rahami, the man who has been “directly linked” to Saturday’s bombings in New York and New Jersey.
The 28-year-old made lengthy trips to Afghanistan and Pakistan. He had a wife. She was pregnant. And Rahami spent time in jail following a family dispute.
Why the FBI interviewed Rahami’s father in 2014
The FBI interviewed Rahami’s father in 2014 after a violent domestic dispute. That interview stemmed from a tip alleging that Rahami’s father was calling his son a terrorist, according to two US officials.
However, there are contradictory accounts of how Rahami came to the attention of law enforcement. His father told reporters that he contacted the FBI and expressed his concern after the dispute.
But when the FBI talked with the father, he recanted his claim that his son was a terrorist but did express concern that Ahmad was engaged in criminal or gang activity, a federal law enforcement source said.
Ultimately, federal investigators believed it was a domestic dispute, several federal officials told CNN. At the time of that interview, Rahami was in jail following a family dispute in which he stabbed one of his relatives.
The FBI never interviewed Ahmad Rahami, according to officials. He was never placed in an FBI database of potential terrorists, officials said.
Rahami was identified Sunday afternoon through a fingerprint. Evidence from the cell phone on the pressure cooker also led to Rahami’s identification. Authorities revealed his identity on Monday morning.
He was captured four hours later in Linden, NJ., about 20 miles from New York City. Police found him after a bar owner spotted him sleeping in the doorway of his bar.
When officers responded, Rahami pulled out a handgun and opened fire, striking an officer in his protective vest over his chest. A foot chase ensued, during which Rahami shot at a police car, causing a bullet to graze another officer in the face.
The chase ended when Rahami was shot multiple times. He was taken to a hospital for surgery.
Rahami was charged with five counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose on Monday.
His bail has been set at $5.2 million.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/20/us/new-york-explosion-investigation/index.html