On Tuesday, the Department of Justice filed federal charges against bombing suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami, who allegedly carried out a series of bombings and attempted bombings in New Jersey and the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan that injured 29 people. According to CNN, Rahami is charged with four federal offenses: use of a weapon of mass destruction, bombing, destruction of property, and use of a destructive device.
These charges are in addition to five counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer that Rahami faces in New Jersey. Though a homemade bomb may not qualify as a WMD in the public imagination, CBS’ Paula Reid reported that under federal law, “weapon of mass destruction” is a broad term that includes rudimentary bombs.
BREAKING: DOJ files federal charges against #AhmadKhanRahami. This is in addition to NJ state charges he faces for attempting to kill police
— Paula Reid (@PaulaReidCNN) September 20, 2016
Federal charges for #AhmadKhanRahami include "use of weapon of mass destruction." Under fed law, WMD a broad term, includes homemade bombs.
— Paula Reid (@PaulaReidCNN) September 20, 2016
Rahami was taken into police custody on Monday following a shootout with police. Two New Jersey police officers were injured in the lead up to his arrest. Rahami was transported to University Hospital in Newark, where he will be held while his gunshot wounds heal. Meanwhile, law enforcement officers are examining evidence the suspect left behind, including a notebook he had on him when he was arrested. In his notes, Rahami rambles about Osama Bin Laden, the Boston marathon bombers, and jihadist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.