Florida man accused of planning to detonate bomb at New York Stock Exchange
FBI agents have arrested a Florida man in connection with an alleged plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange, according to charging documents unsealed on Wednesday. South Florida resident **Harun Abdul-Malik Yener** was charged with attempted use of an explosive to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida.
Investigative Findings
The FBI began investigating Yener in February after receiving a tip he was storing bomb-making schematics in an unlocked storage unit in Coral Springs, Florida. Agents obtained a search warrant and found numerous watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics in the unit, according to court documents.
Yener expressed his intentions to join a militia and later met with undercover FBI agents, seeking photos of the New York Stock Exchange and explosive materials to plan a bomb attack. He mentioned targeting the stock exchange as it would have a significant impact and gain support from the public.
Threat of Violence
Yener planned to travel to New York to set up the attack, wearing a disguise and distributing a recorded message to the press explaining the motives behind the bombing. He envisioned the explosion to have a catastrophic impact on the building and its surroundings.
Investigators found that Yener had conducted extensive online searches and shared videos on how to create explosives from household items and construct triggers for traps. His motivation behind the attack was to initiate a ‘reboot’ or ‘reset’ of the United States government.
Alleged Ties and Past Activities
Yener revealed to investigators that he had considered joining ISIS in 2015 but decided against it, believing that the group would not succeed in achieving its objectives. He recorded audio messages detailing the demands and reasons for the planned attack, comparing himself to Osama Bin Laden.
Recent months have seen multiple arrests related to alleged schemes targeting U.S. officials and landmarks. From Election Day threats to murder-for-hire plots, law enforcement agencies have been vigilant in addressing potential security risks.
Source : www.cbsnews.com