SHARE

Video: Times Square Suicide Bomber, 27, Identified

UPDATE: Authorities identified a would-be suicide bomber who was caught on video prematurely detonating an improvised device beneath Times Square early Monday as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah.

Akayed Ullah

Akayed Ullah

Photo Credit: COURTESY: CBS2 (New York)

A homemade device being carried by a man near the Port Authority bus terminal near Times Square apparently malfunctioned during Monday morning's rush, injuring him, said the NYPD, who arrested him.

Photo Credit: Daily Voice Bergen County
The NYPD couldn't immediately confirm whether footage that showed a man on the ground immediately after the explosion was the one carrying the device.

The NYPD couldn't immediately confirm whether footage that showed a man on the ground immediately after the explosion was the one carrying the device.

Photo Credit: CCTV
Police Commissioner O'Neill with the mayor, governor and others.

Police Commissioner O'Neill with the mayor, governor and others.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: City of New York

Ullah, a Bangladeshi national who worked at an electrical company, was "wearing an improvised low-tech explosive device attached to his body" when it accidentally went off as he walked through passageway between the IND line at 7th Avenue and the IRT at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue around 7:20 a.m., city Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill said.

"The device is based on a pipe bomb, affixed with a combination of velcro and zip ties," NYPD spokesman John Miller said.

The ISIS-inspired Ullah had wires running to a 5-inch metal pipe bomb and a battery pack strapped to his abdomen under his jacket, O'Neill said.

Ullah, who came to the U.S. seven years ago and most recently lived in Brooklyn, was seriously injured, with burns and cuts to his hands and abdomen, the commissioner said. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital.

"He did make statements," O'Neill said, "but we're not going to go into that now."

Three other people were injured, none of them seriously, the NYPD said. Two took themselves to the hospitals, while the other was treated at the scene, authorities said.

The Port Authority bus terminal in midtown Manhattan was reopened around 9:30 a.m. Monday.

"This was an attempted terrorist attack," Mayor Bill DiBlasio said at the scene. "Thank God the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goals.

"There are no known additional incidents at this time. There are no known additional activities," he said.

There will be added security throughout the city on Monday, the mayor said.

"The NYPD is on full alert and out in force, and that means you're safe," he said.

The stations and subways were evacuated, and trains were initially bypassing the Port Authority and Times Square stations, after the explosion, the department said.

No cars were allowed to exit the FDR Drive from 59th to 42nd streets — 45th to 40th and 7th to 9th Ave remained closed as of 9 a.m., the Port Authority said.

"This is New York. The reality is that we are a target by many who would like to make a statement against democracy and freedom," Gov. Cuomo said. " We have the Statue of Liberty in our harbor, and that makes us an international target."

Anyone can go online and find "garbage" that helps them make an explosive device, the governor said.

At the same time, he said: "This is New York. We are a savvy people. We keep our eyes open. And we have the best law enforcement on the globe."

Responders included city police, the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, New York State Police and the ATF, authorities said.

New Jersey Transit bus service was being diverted to Secaucus and Newark Penn Station for rail service to the city (Follow @NJTransit and @PANYNJ for updates as they come available).

PORT AUTHORITY BUS SERVICE: http://www.panynj.gov/bus-terminals/pabt-carriers-routes.html

ORIGINAL STORY:

Streets have been closed in both directions in the vicinity of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan after an apparent pipe bomb explosion Monday morning.

The possible pipe bomb detonated in a passageway below ground at the Port Authority at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue near Times Square, according to WABC-TV, citing police sources.

One person has been taken into custody, and at least one injury has been reported.

There are subway disruptions as a result of the incident, including no 42 St shuttle service in both directions.

Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE