Father of New York Bombing Suspect Speaks Out, Says FBI Should Have Investigated His Son More Thoroughly
The father of the New York bombing suspect says federal officials should have investigated his son more thoroughly.
Mohammad Rahami, the father of Ahmad Rahami, said his son became secretive in the months leading up to three bombings in New York City and New Jersey and the police shootout that ended in the man's arrest.
"Nobody can go in [his room]," Mohammad told ABC News, noting that Ahmad changed the lock on his bedroom door. "One time, my grandson, he went into his room and [Ahmad] is screaming and kicking him out."
Twenty-nine people were injured in the bombing in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood on Sept. 17. Hours earlier, police responded to an explosion before a charity race in Seaside Park, New Jersey. One day later, police accidentally detonated a bag filled with pipe bombs found at a train station in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Police suspect Ahmad was behind all three bombings, and his father said he believes his son acted alone.
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"He did everything by himself," Mohammad said. "He [bought] everything by himself. He order[ed] and online, he did it by himself."
Mohammad said no one had idea what his son was allegedly up to but added that FBI officials should have taken a closer look at the 28-year-old when they investigated him as a possible terrorist years earlier.
He told ABC that officials did not interview Ahmad but still concluded that he was not a terrorist.
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Mohammad said he "100 percent" believes federal officials should have interviewed his son.
Last week, Ahmad was charged with bombing a place of public use; destruction of property by means of fire or explosive; use of a destructive device during and in furtherance of a crime of violence; and use of weapons of mass destruction, CNN reports.
Rahami has not yet entered a plea. On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey said it had been retained by Rahami's father to represent him until he was given a public defender or lawyer, according to The New York Times. A lawyer for the organization was not immediately available to comment on Rahami's behalf.
