A federal judge sentenced a New Jersey man to life in prison on Tuesday for detonating and attempting to detonate a series of bombs in New York City and New Jersey in September 2016.
Ahmad Khan Rahimi, 30, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, planted improvised explosives devices (IEDs) in Chelsea, one IED along the Semper Five Marine Corps Charity 5K race route in Seaside Park, New Jersey, and left six IEDS in the entrance of the New Jersey Transit station in Elizabeth on Sept. 17 and 18, 2016.
One of the bombs exploded in Chelsea, causing injuries. The second bomb was reported to police before it exploded. The Seaside Park bomb exploded, but nobody was injured because the start of the race had been delayed. One of the bombs left in the transit station detonated as officials attempted to use a robot to defuse it.
Rahimi was arrested on Sept. 19, 2016, after exchanging gunfire with officers. Multiple officers were injured in the exchange. Rahimi was convicted on a host of charges in October after a two-week trial.
“Today our legal system delivered on its promise to provide swift and resolute justice to those who would target innocent victims by perpetrating terrorist attacks against our homeland,” Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Edward O’Callaghan said. “I commend all of the agents, analysts, and prosecutors whose commitment and dedication made this result possible.”
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said Rahimi was inspired by ISIS and al Qaeda and was “intending to kill and maim as many innocent people as possible.”
“Less than a year-and-a-half after his attacks, Rahimi has now been tried, convicted and sentenced to life in prison,” Berman said. “Rahimi’s conviction and sentencing are victories for New York City and our nation in the fight against terror.”