Official: Man Had Explosive Device Strapped On Before NYC Blast
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NEW YORK (AP) - A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that a man had a pipe bomb strapped to him when it went off on a New York City subway platform.
The explosion happened around 7:30 a.m. Monday.
Police Commissioner James O'Neill says it was a terror-related incident.
Akayed Ullah, 27, had a crude pipe bomb strapped to him and it went off in a passageway from Seventh and Eighth Avenues near Times Square.
A photo published by the New York Post from the scene shows a bearded man crumpled on the ground with his shirt apparently blown off and a police officer holding the man's hands behind his back.
Three people suffered minor non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was also injured and was taken into custody.
Soot covers the man's bare midriff.
Mayor Bill de Blasio also said it was an attempted terrorist attack. He says it's lucky the suspect didn't achieve his ultimate goals.
Law enforcement officials say he was inspired by the Islamic State, but had apparently not had any direct contact with the terror group.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has tweeted that President Trump has been briefed on the explosion.
(Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)