New Jersey

Chelsea Bomber Ahmad Rahimi Convicted of Attempted Murder in New Jersey

What to Know

  • New Jersey jurors convicted for attempted murder a man already convicted of planting bombs in New York City
  • The eight woman and four men heard closing arguments last Thursday in the trial of Ahmad Khan Rahimi
  • Rahimi is serving a life sentence after a jury convicted him last year of setting off a pressure cooker device, injuring 30 in Chelsea

Jurors in New Jersey convicted for attempted murder trial a man already found guilty of planting bombs in New York City. 

Afghanistan-born naturalized U.S. citizen Ahmad Khan Rahimi faced charges stemming from his arrest in 2016. 

The jury of eight women and four men began deliberating last Thursday and asked for a re-showing of a surveillance video that showed a gun battle in Linden between Rahimi and police — a key piece of the prosecution's case.

It took them until Tuesday afternoon to convict Rahimi in the attempted murder of five police officers.

"We are grateful to the Union County Prosecutor's Office for their resolve in holding him accountable for trying to kill these heroes," said Linden Police Chief Dave Hart in a statement. "Their actions on that day will forever inspire us, and this conviction sends a clear message that those who use fear and intimidation to disrupt our way of life will be stopped, and they will be held accountable."

Two of the cops involved in the gunfight were injured in the exchange, including retired Linden Officer Angel Padilla who took a bullet to the gut which thankfully was stopped by the bulletproof vest.

Rahimi's attorney had argued his client acted in self-defense. 

Sentencing has been scheduled for November 15. Rahimi is already serving a life sentence after a New York jury convicted Rahimi last year of setting off a bomb, injuring 30 people. A second bomb failed to go off. 

The government presented evidence that Rahimi also set a small pipe bomb along a Marine Corps road race in Seaside Park, New Jersey, the same day.

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