Policemen investigate near the site of an explosion in New York, the United States, Sept. 17, 2016. (Photo: Xinhua/David Torres)
Ahmad Khan Rahami, the suspect wanted in connection with a series of bomb attacks in New York City and New Jersey in the United States was apprehended on Monday after a shootout with police in Linden, New Jersey, local police said.
Rahami was wounded after exchanging fire with police officers on East Elizabeth Ave in Linden and subsequently taken into police custody.
Two police officers were also reportedly injured during the shootout.
The suspect, 28, was taken into custody shortly before Monday noon time and only a few hours after New York Police Department released his photo and asked for tips from the public.
TV footage showed Rahami was on a stretcher and his right arm seemed to have been wounded. He was conscious and reportedly sent by an ambulance to a hospital for treatment.
Police had also found a suspicious package and required bomb squad and police canine to the scene.
Rahami was believed connected to all three incidents including the bombing in the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan on Saturday evening that injured 29, a pipe bomb explosions near the starting line of a Marine charity run on Saturday morning in Seaside Park, New Jersey, and five pipe bombs discovered near a train station on Sunday night in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
The FBI and New York City Police Department had identified Rahami as a suspect in the series of attacks on Monday morning, while New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio described him as "armed and dangerous."
Rahami was described as a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born on Jan. 23, 1988 in Afghanistan.
The investigation is ongoing and it's not clear if there were other suspects involved in the bombings.
Rahami was identified by investigators using the cellphone attached on the explosive device made out from a pressure cooker, as well as his fingerprints left on the device, according to authorities.
U.S. President Barack Obama, who is here for the annual UN General Assembly, delivered his first statement in New York since the attacks on Monday morning, commending law enforcement officers and first responders for their professionalism and quick response, and urged Americans not to "succumb to the fear."
Nine people were also wounded Saturday night in a stabbing attack at a mall in the northern U.S. state of Minnesota. The incident was investigated as potential acts of terrorism, but did not appear to be linked with the series of bombing attacks in New York and New Jersey, according to police.
The attacks came as world leaders gather at New York City for the United Nations General Assembly this week, which puts pressure on the security capabilities of the city's law enforcement force. Cuomo said on Saturday that the state will be deploying an additional 1,000 state troopers and members of the National Guard throughout New York.
