Ahmad Khan Rahimi indicted for Chelsea bombing
NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - A federal grand jury in New York indicted Ahmad Khan Rahimi on charges the he set off a bomb in Chelsea and attempted to set off another one nearby back in September. United States Attorney Preet Bharara announced the indictment Wednesday.
"Two months ago, Ahmad Khan Rahimi allegedly planted bombs in the heart of Manhattan and in New Jersey," Bharara said in a statement. "The bomb that exploded in Chelsea shattered windows hundreds of yards away and propelled a 100-pound dumpster over 120 feet, injuring over 30 people. Now indicted by a grand jury, Rahimi will face justice in a federal court for his alleged violent acts of terrorism."
Rahimi, 28, is set to be arraigned Thursday in federal court in Manhattan. He already faces federal charges in New Jersey for allegedly planting bombs in Seaside Park and Elizabeth and state charges in New Jersey for allegedly trying to kill police officers in a shootout that ended with his capture.
Rahimi, an Afghan-born U.S. citizen who lives in Elizabeth, has been in a hospital recovering from gunshot wounds from the shootout.
His lawyer said that Rahimi will plead not guilty to the latest charges, the AP reported.
In a statement, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he condemns the bombings and thanked law enforcement and prosecutors.
"New York has zero tolerance for those who seek to spread fear and division, and we will continue to stand united in the face of terror," Cuomo said. "Today's indictment charging defendant Ahmed Khan Rahimi is an important milestone for those impacted by this hateful act, and I am confident that justice will be served."