Explosive devices

Investigators probing crude pipe bombs sent to prominent critics of President Donald Trump are trying to determine whether the devices were intended to detonate or simply to sow fear, law enforcement officials told the Associated Press on Thursday. The officials said the devices were not rigged like a booby-trapped package bomb that would explode upon opening. They had timers and batteries but never went off. Law enforcement officials were still uncertain whether the devices were poorly designed or never intended to cause physical harm. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation by name. At a press conference Thursday, officials in New York stressed they were still treating the packages as “live devices.” “As far as a hoax device, we’re not treating it that way,” said Police Commissioner James O’Neill.

Section:Gallery

Thu., Oct. 25, 2018

The FBI released this poster on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, asking for the public’s assistance in finding the people responsible for sending suspicious packages to multiple locations across the United States. The targets of the packages were some of the figures most frequently criticized by President Donald Trump.
Police tape cordons off a post office in Wilmington, Del., Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. A law enforcement official said suspicious packages addressed to former Vice President Joe Biden were intercepted at Delaware mail facilities in New Castle and Wilmington and were similar to crude pipe bombs sent to former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and CNN.

Matt Rourke Associated Press
New York City police (NYPD) clear the scene after a report of a possible suspicious package was called in at the Time Warner Center Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in New York. The NYPD had said it had evaluated the packages “as a precaution” on Thursday night.

Craig Ruttle Associated Press
A police officer and dog are shown outside a postal facility, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Opa-Locka, Fla. Investigators searched coast-to-coast Thursday for the culprit and motives behind the bizarre mail-bomb plot aimed at critics of the president.

Wilfredo Lee Associated Press
New York City police officers, and members of the bomb squad, clear the scene after a report of a possible suspicious package was called in at the Time Warner Center Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in New York.

Craig Ruttle Associated Press
Postal service police screen employees entering the Royal Palm processing and Distribution Center, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 in Opa-locka, Fla. A law enforcement source tells The Associated Press that Miami-Dade police have gone to the mail-sorting facility in Opa-Locka, Florida, at the request of the FBI in connection with the suspicious package investigation. The source says it was a precautionary measure.

Josh Replogle Associated Press
This screenshot from CNN’s Twitter account shows what CNN says is the explosive device that was delivered to their New York headquarters on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. The package sent to CNN contained a live explosive with wires, a black pipe and an envelope with white powder. Officials said the substance was being tested to see if it was dangerous.
Rep. Stephanie Murphy, former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Bill Nelson respond to cheering supporters as Biden headlined a rally for Democrats in downtown Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. Floridians go to the polls for the mid-term election in two weeks.

Joe Burbank Orlando Sentinel Via Ap
New York City police officers stand by the scene after a report of a possible suspicious package was called in at the Time Warner Center Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in New York. Normal activity resumed at the building shortly after police cleared the scene.

Craig Ruttle Associated Press