US: NY, NJ bombings suspect charged with federal crimes

WASHINGTON (AA) – The suspect who allegedly carried out bombings in a Jersey shore town and New York City was charged Tuesday on four federal counts.

Ahmad Khan Rahami is charged with the use of a weapon of mass destruction, bombing a public place, destruction of property and use of a destructive device, according to court documents.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara filed the charges in a Manhattan court.

The documents said 31 people were injured in the Chelsea bombing, and only one of three pipe bombs were detonated in the Seaside Park bombing. No one was injured at the Jersey Shore 5k charity race because of a delay prompted by separate police activity.

Rahimi faces five separate charges in New Jersey of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer related to a shootout with police that led to his arrest, as well as charges of unlawful possession of a weapon.

Rahami’s wife, Asia Bibi Rahami, and his mother reportedly left the U.S. days before the attacks were carried out, raising additional questions about the bombings.

His father, Mohammad Rahami said he told the FBI in 2014 that his son was a terrorist threat.

A notebook found in the younger Rahami’s possession after the shootout contained extremist writings, including one passage related to “killing the kuffar,” an Arabic term for non-Muslims that translates as “unbeliever”.

Other passages lauded Osama bin Laden, Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hassan, and former al-Qaeda propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki.

Rahimi's writings end with the chilling note: "Inshallah [God willing] the sound of the bombs will be heard in the streets. Gun shots to your police. Death to you oppression," according to court documents.