The suspect in the New York-area bombings over the weekend had once worked as an unarmed guard for private security companies, according to documents uncovered by the Associated Press Tuesday evening.
Ahmad Khan Rahami, an Afghan immigrant, had worked as a night guard for the AP’s administration office in Cranbury, New Jersey, in 2011. Danny Spriggs, AP’s chief of global security, said Rahami was known for engaging coworkers in political discussions and expresses empathy for the Taliban. It is unclear whether Rahami’s colleagues had reported him to authorities.
Other records indicate the bombing suspect had worked for a separate security firm in Parsippany, New Jersey, in 2008.
He was charged with five counts of attempted murder after a shootout with police officers that left him and two cops wounded. He is being held on a $5.2 million bail and remains hospitalized for injuries. The Justice Department has not indicated if it will file charges against Rahami. Rep. Tom MacArthur said Tuesday the suspect is not cooperating with authorities.
Tri-state authorities cited fingerprints and surveillance video at the Manhattan bombing scene as key to their investigation and the quick capture of the suspect. It is unclear whether Rahami has received a defense lawyer yet.
