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Times Square Bomb Suspect Says He Acted Alone

Faisal Shahzad nearly got away

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted May 4, 2010 9:59 AM CDT

(Newser) – Faisal Shahzad, the suspect arrested late last night in the foiled Times Square car bombing, has made statements implicating himself, and says he acted alone, police tell the New York Times. Authorities aren't totally convinced about that second part, however, saying the investigation is “very much ongoing.” Two other men interviewed in connection with the case have been released; authorities said they were probably just picked up because they had similar names.

Shahzad came perilously close to succeeding in fleeing the country. When authorities caught up to him at Kennedy airport around midnight his Dubai-bound plane had just pulled away from the gate. Officials called it back before it could depart, arrested Shahzad, and screened all the luggage. Before the attack, Shahzad had recently visited his native Pakistan, and officials there have promised to aid the investigation. “It's a prominent lead that they're following, the international association,” said a senior official.

Faisal Shahzad (Orkut.com)

FBI search an alley on the property of a house where Faisal Shahzad lived, in Bridgeport, Conn., Tuesday, May 4, 2010. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

FBI search a house where Faisal Shahzad lived in Bridgeport, Conn., Tuesday, May 4, 2010. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 12 comments

YetAnotherCollegeKid

May 4, 2010 4:26 PM CDT

Given how amateurish the bomb was- I mean, it didn't even go off- a one-man operation is totally possible. Alright, so, we caught him. I'm not sure if there is a legal action for 'attempted mass murder and terrorism', but let's figure out if he did have associates, then get this guy punished and move on.
And kudos once again to law enforcement. Very much a '24' moment, catching the terrorist's plane leaving on the runway. Cool.

Botch

May 4, 2010 4:22 PM CDT

Holy crap... he was a Muslim from the Middle East? Who would have ever thought?

latyf

May 4, 2010 4:00 PM CDT

Kill the f*cker.

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(NEWSER) - Officials are probing huge holes in a US security net that allowed the Times Square bomb suspect to travel back home to Pakistan for several months of terrorist training, then purchase gallons of explosive chemicals for his car bomb. In addition, incredibly, suspect Faisal Shahzad was allowed to board a plane at JFK airport and very nearly escaped authorities who had "lost him" during surveillance even though he was on a no-fly security list. "Why wasn't he apprehended before arriving at the airport or boarding the plane?" an official asks the Washington Post . More»

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Times Square Bomb Suspect Says He Acted Alone

Faisal Shahzad nearly got away

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