Pipe Bomb May Have Caused Small NYC Blast

[Rose Siding]

NEW YORK -- A backpack that set off a small explosion in a Times Square subway station may have contained a pipe bomb and not just fireworks, as originally believed, police said Tuesday.

The explosion at 8 p.m. Monday slightly injured a retired police officer and disrupted subway service. Scores of heavily armed police trained in anti-terrorism tactics and hundreds of other officers sealed off parts of the surrounding streets around 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue. Investigators said later, however, that they did not suspect any terrorism link.

Police at first said they believed fireworks caused the blast. But investigators said they later discovered pieces of plastic pipe, traces of black powder and ball bearings at the scene.

The retired officer said he had spotted the blue and white backpack, burning on a mezzanine staircase, and was going to call for backup when it exploded.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-subway-explosion,0,3296907.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[frylock]

1. dry run for the repub convention?

no better way to keep protestors to a minimum than with a few well placed "backpacks".

[noonwitch]

2. Possibly-I will not go anywhere near NYC during the convention

I've been telling my friends not to go.
I have a bad feeling-either the terrorists will strike, or the GOP/Bloomberg is going to go Daly on the protestors. Or both.

[Stephanie]

3. They will not LIHOP while the Republicans are in town. Highly unlikely.

Go Daly on the protestors? Undoubtedly.

[lutton]

4. Police Investigate Officer Injured In Subway Blast

http://www.ny1.com/ny/TopStories/SubTopic/index.html?topicintid=1&subtopicintid=1&contentintid=41727

Police are investigating whether the former transit officer injured when a bag exploded at the Times Square subway station Monday night may have been involved with planting the device, sources say.

The officer, whose name has not been released, was forced into retirement over his objection last week because of a mental illness stemming from the World Trade Center attack, according to the sources. The four-year veteran was apparently involved in the rescue efforts at the twin towers.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has not ruled out the former officer’s involvement. “The whole situation is being examined at this time,” he said when asked by reporters if there was any evidence the officer played a role in the explosion.

more at the link

[frylock]

5. that can't be good..

I hope this guy gets the help he needs.

[mom cat]

7. Welcome to DU. Keep us posted on this one. Could be a bad PTSD

reaction, but let's see

[newyawker99]

8. Hi lutton!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Romulus]

6. well, here we go

Just in time to shut down the convention protestors . . .

[Stephanie]

9. It was set by the cop

A cop who had been in psychological distress since 9/11 and was being forced to retire. His last day on the job. He set the pipe bomb himself. All over the news today.