Clapper, Booker latest targets.
The Department of Justice has confirmed that one man has been taken into custody in Florida in the investigation into the pipe-bomb spree that has gripped the nation this week. NBC’s Pete Williams is delivering a live report now and cautioning that this might not mean the case is resolved — but the DoJ now plans a press conference for later this afternoon:
LIVE: NBC News Special Report: Man taken into custody in Florida for questioning as part of the pipe bomb packages investigation, law enforcement sources tell @NBCNews. https://t.co/5MGorR3Wih https://t.co/QgUZl8JVhG
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 26,2018
US Justice Dept. spokesperson: “We can confirm one person is in custody. We will hold a press conference at the Dept. of Justice at 2:30 p.m. ET.”
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 26,2018
ABC News reports it as a “suspect” in custody:
. @ABC NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: Suspect in custody in connection with suspected explosive packages. https://t.co/I0OSTn6SPK
— ABC News (@ABC) October 26,2018
We’ll watch this as it develops, but it might be over. Let’s hope so, anyway.
Update: Two more bombs were discovered earlier today, sent to James Clapper and Cory Booker:
Authorities recovered suspicious packages sent to Democratic Sen. Cory Booker and James Clapper, the director of national intelligence under President Obama. The packages appeared to be similar to 10 others sent this week.
The package sent to Booker was found in Florida, the FBI said on Twitter on Friday morning. Sources told CBS News that the package sent to Clapper was found at a postal facility in New York City.
The New York package was addressed to “James Robert Clapper Time Warner (CNN),” according to a photo of the package obtained by CBS New York station WCBS-TV. On Wednesday, a bomb sent to CNN’s offices in New York’s Time Warner Center prompted an evacuation of the building.
The arrest took place at an auto-parts store in suburban Miami. The local CBS affiliate reports that an explosion took place, but might have been a flash-bang device to stun the suspect before police raided the store.
Update: Multiple news outlets report that the man arrested will be charged with the bomb threats:
NBC News Special Report: Man taken into custody in Florida for questioning as part of the pipe bomb packages investigation, law enforcement sources tell @NBCNews . https://t.co/5MGorR3Wih pic.twitter.com/Fzy3aJNjSD
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 26,2018
Update: The man was in his 50s, and he lived in Debbie Wasserman Schultz’ district. Pete Williams wonders whether he had any accomplices:
“A person has been arrested in connection with this string of package bombs, and will face charges in connection with the bombing…. I don’t know if the conclusion is that this is the only person involved. ” – @PeteWilliamsNBC . pic.twitter.com/F4ZIeMf8IZ
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 26,2018
That’s a good question. If the bombs in New York City were hand-delivered, was he in NYC at those times — or did he have someone helping him out?
