Explosion at NYC military recruiting center
A product of fringe anti-war moonbats? Via AP:
NEW YORK (AP) – An explosive device caused minor damage to a military recruiting station in Times Square early Thursday, and police blocked off the area to investigate.
The device shattered a glass entryway, but no one was injured, police said. Members of the police department’s bomb squad and fire officials gathered outside the recruiting station in the early morning darkness, and police cars and yellow tape blocked drivers—most of them behind the wheels of taxicabs—from entering one of the world’s busiest crossroads.
Witnesses staying at a Times Square hotel in the area said they heard a “big bang” and could feel the building shake. A large plume of smoke was also visible after the explosion, they said.
Early in the investigation, subway cars passed through the Times Square station without stopping, but normal service was restored, with some delays, before the morning rush hour.
The recruiting station, located on a traffic island surrounded by Broadway theaters and chain restaurants, has occasionally been the site of anti-war demonstrations, ranging from silent vigils to loud rallies.
Will be back later this morning with more updates.
Update – 8:41 AM: More details, via CBS/AP:
Police blocked off the area to investigate the explosion, which occurred at about 3:45 a.m., shattering the station’s glass entryway. No one was injured.
“If it is something that’s directed toward American troops, then it’s something that’s taken very seriously and is pretty unfortunate,” said Army Capt. Charlie Jaquillard, who is the commander of Army recruiting in Manhattan.
He said no one was inside the station, where the Marines, Air Force and Navy also recruit.
CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor reports a man wearing a gray hoodie was seen on a bike leaving the scene. Glor added that the FBI is joining the investigation.
Witnesses staying at a Marriott hotel four blocks away said they could feel the building shake with the blast.
A witness told CBS station WCBS-TV, “I heard this big bang. I thought it was thunder. I looked out the window, and didn’t see any rain, I saw people running.”
“It shook the building. I thought it could have been thunder, but I looked down and there was a massive plume of smoke so I knew it was an explosion,” said Terry Leighton, 48, of London, who was staying on the 21st floor of the Marriott.
Members of the police department’s bomb squad and fire officials gathered outside the station in the early morning darkness, and police cars and yellow tape blocked drivers – most of them behind the wheels of taxicabs – from entering one of the world’s busiest crossroads.
I heard on Fox News this morning that this recruiting center was one of the largest in the country.
Gateway Pundit has photos. Here is a Times Square live cam. Any NYCrs who were in Times Square this morning, please email me or post in the comments what you are seeing.