May 2nd, 2010
03:48 AM ET

Official: 'Too early' to call Times Square a terror incident

It is too early to tell whether the incident in New York's Times Square was a terror incident involving al Qaeda or another terror network, a federal official briefed on the situation told CNN early Sunday.

The investigation by the New York police "just started," the official said.

The official cautioned that connecting any dots this soon will get "way ahead" of the investigation.

But based on the preliminary investigation, the official downplayed the impact of the car bomb, saying, "if it was real, it didn't work."

A second federal official also said there are no clear indicators that this is international terrorism.
Filed under: Terrorism • Times Square Car Bomb • U.S.
soundoff (59 Responses)
  1. Mark

    We have seen the Administration act on matters of terrorism now they have removed Islam and Muslim form terror documentation, its very simple... The war is inside America now..

    May 2, 2010 at 4:09 am | Report abuse |
  2. Lee

    Of course it was an act of terrorism. I don't understand why they are waiting to see if it is.

    May 2, 2010 at 4:31 am | Report abuse |
  3. I wonder

    How's that "appeasing" working out for ya, Mr. President.

    May 2, 2010 at 4:32 am | Report abuse |
  4. leon

    yes, the War is inside America, but Israel its should, Israel make America very serious problem with Palestinian Politics

    May 2, 2010 at 4:36 am | Report abuse |
  5. nostradamus2

    I agree with the official. Terrorists are not amateurs and are not that careless as to leave an old vehicle in the Times Square with bomb ingredients. Just too simplistic.

    May 2, 2010 at 4:43 am | Report abuse |
  6. Jeff Caligari

    I would have to write a book to elaborate my following comment but I think it is a warning. Maybe of things to come. The world is not getting any bigger but the cities and populations are. The consumption of the populations is exceeding the ability for the planet to provide. Some people are starting to wake up to this and what can be done? I believe in a God/Allah and no amount of military force or protection can protect anyone if god has a plan to send a message. This event I believe is just a sign saying "If we wanted to we could have so pay attention"

    This reason and message above I believe is what the so called "Terror Cells" are trying to tell the so called "Civilised world" We are similar to the locusts that swarm and eat up crops.

    I dont belive that 2012 will be the end of the world however I do believe it will be the end of the way we have been living. The attitudes and actions of the masses will change. The internet has opened alot of eyes and unlike before where people were fed what others wanted them to believe it opens up an avenue for research on all levels.

    Mr Obama I will be sending the White house a more detailed report soon.

    May 2, 2010 at 4:53 am | Report abuse |
  7. Garth

    It is Timothy McVeigh all over again , not surprised if one looks at all the irrational hatred from certain quarters inside the US against the govt.

    May 2, 2010 at 5:30 am | Report abuse |
  8. j

    well I would have to disagree with you nostradamus2, the simplest things will kill the most, I have seen first hand thier tactics and procedures, you think about it, had the material inside not have been smoking, do you really think anyone would have realized it, would just appear to be another parked car, yes the war is penetrating into the US, you look back at the headlines a few months ago, there has been a few "booby traps" aimed at police officers, now a car bomb, these are the tactics terrorist use in the Iraq and Afghanistan war, Is this blog meant to scare anyone, no just being a realist

    May 2, 2010 at 5:35 am | Report abuse |
  9. J

    I doubt this was an international terrorist attempt...I am sure it was purely home-grown,

    May 2, 2010 at 5:55 am | Report abuse |
  10. Valerie NYC

    Home grown or Al Qaeda it is all terrorism and must be addressed as such. Hunt down and lock down. No mercy for terrorism of any kind.

    May 2, 2010 at 6:10 am | Report abuse |
  11. illuminati

    did any of you see die hard with vengeance?

    this was a ploy so a sophisticated group of individuals could rob the gold that lies underneath nyc $140 Billion of Gold Bullion federal reserve.

    May 2, 2010 at 6:19 am | Report abuse |
  12. Lisa

    Of course this was "terror-related". It does not have to originate with a middle east extremist group to be terroristic. it could be some ex-veteran from Iowa for all we know. it's still terrorist behavior.

    May 2, 2010 at 6:26 am | Report abuse |
  13. Gary J Mathieu

    OK my fellow Americans............. HAVE WE ALL LOST IT ?????????????

    WE Had some New York IDIOT probably stage a seene to get pulic interest.... Sorry all you news media idiots , this was a PRANK !!!!!

    May 2, 2010 at 6:31 am | Report abuse |
  14. bgraynewbedford

    That is terrorism, at least attempted, most likely domestic, maybe opportunistic for diversion, you know, like, get the oil spill topic out of the papers and no focus on british petroleum and haliburton and the oil workers that died in the explosion and all the contaminated fish and birds and how all that area loses again economic wise. I certainly dont listen to conservative talk show hosts and I dont blame the Presidents administration, seems to me the , this President is doing all right. And I Hope they find the person or persons behind this car bombing, even better, once they do, find out motivation for it

    May 2, 2010 at 6:45 am | Report abuse |
  15. Adam

    Hey CNN commenters... word to the wise: if the officials don't know for certain yet who this was, I promise you that you don't know yet, either. You'd be wise to shut your mouths on the speculation until you have anything resembling factual details on the situation beyond 'there was bomb making stuff in a truck in Times Square."

    This could've been perpetuated by any number of groups – and most of you commenters aren't anything close to experts on this stuff.

    May 2, 2010 at 6:47 am | Report abuse |
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