September 19, 2016•Update: September 20, 2016
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
The suspected bomber of a New York City neighborhood has been taken into custody following a shootout with police, authorities confirmed Monday.
Footage from a local ABC affiliate showed Ahmad Khan Rahami, 28, being loaded into an ambulance following the shootout in Linden, New Jersey. He appeared conscious with a bandage covering his bloodied right arm.
Two officers were injured in the gunfire, New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neil said during a press conference.
One officer was taken to a hospital for surgery, according to an official.
Rahimi, a natural American citizen from Afghanistan, now faces five separate charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer related to the shootout, according to reports.
He faces separate charges of unlawful possession of a weapon.
His bail is reportedly set at $5.2 million.
Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters at an afternoon press conference that authorities "have every reason to believe this was an act of terror.
"Because this is an ongoing investigation, all New Yorkers should remain vigilant," he said. "Even though this suspect is apprehended, we will have a very strong and visible NYPD presence because of this incident and because of the United Nations General Assembly."
The confrontation occurred after Rahami was discovered in the vestibule of a nearby bar, said reports.
Police confirmed that they were looking for no other suspects.
High-ranking New Jersey Democratic lawmaker Bob Menendez told a press conference that whether or not the act was externally directed, it was an act of terrorism.
Rahimi is suspected of carrying out a pressure cooker bomb attack on New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood that would 29 people, as well as a separate pipe bombing at a charity race in New Jersey on Saturday in which no one was injured, FBI New York bureau head Bill Sweeney said.
He added that he had no indication of a terror cell participating in the attacks.
Another pressure cooker bomb was found unexploded near the Chelsea bombing. It's unclear if it is also linked to Rahimi.
