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Tags: Bill de Blasio | Mayor | New York City | Press Conference | Arrest

NYC Bomb Explosion: It Was Terrorism

NYC Bomb Explosion: It Was Terrorism

 NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James O'Neill address the media Monday. (AP)

By    |   Monday, 19 September 2016 02:51 PM EDT

Authorities believe the explosion in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood over the weekend in which 29 people were injured was terrorism.

"We have every reason to believe this was an act of terror," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference Monday. "I want all New Yorkers to be vigilant."

The new information came just hours after a suspect in the weekend bombings was arrested Monday morning after a dramatic shootout in New Jersey.

The gunfire left Ahmad Khan Rahami and two police officers wounded. Rahami, 28, was taken into custody after being shot in Linden, New Jersey, around 11 a.m.

One officer was shot in the vest and the other was hit in the hand.

It was also revealed at the press conference that five other possible suspects are being sought.

But U.S. Attorney General Preet Bharara said there is "no indication" a terror cell is operating in the New York City area.

New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill also asked New Yorkers to remain alert and share anything suspicious they might see or hear with authorities.

"We are the No. 1 target in the world," O'Neill said.

De Blasio said President Barack Obama had called him to discuss the Chelsea blast.

"He wanted me to tell the people of New York City how much he admired the resilience of the people [here], how our people handled this crisis from moment one, with strength and resilience," the mayor said.

"In addition, of course, the president offered his congratulations to our first responders for all they had done."

O'Neill said the presence of video cameras where the blast occurred were instrumental in helping find the first suspect.

"That's the world we live in now. Any street, any incident in New York City … most of the time that's captured on video surveillance," he said.

"So as we go through the investigation as we continue to gather more surveillance video it's going to help us move forward with this case, and make sure that this, this suspect, this subject, is brought to justice, and pays the maximum price."

Police are also studying video surveillance from an area four blocks away from the blast — where an unexploded pressure-cooker bomb was discovered. The video shows two men taking the device out of the bag and walking off with the bag.

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Headline
Authorities believe the explosion in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood over the weekend in which 29 people were injured was terrorism. "We have every reason to believe this was an act of terror," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference Monday. "I...
Bill de Blasio, Mayor, New York City, Press Conference, Arrest
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2016-51-19
Monday, 19 September 2016 02:51 PM
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