AG says substantial progress in Times Square bombing probe

AG cites solid progress in Times Square bomb probe

ARLINGTON, Va. — Attorney General Eric Holder said Monday investigators have made substantial progress in the investigation of the failed bombing attempt in Times Square.

“I can assure the American people that this investigation is solid, it’s under way, it is being run with our partners in New York and with state and local partners around the country,” the attorney general told reporters.

Holder said that “we can’t talk about all of the things that we are doing” because “that would give an advantage to the people who we are pursuing.”

Declaring that the investigation “is really in its earliest stages,” Holder said investigators have some good leads in addition to the videotape of a middle-aged man who could be seen shedding his shirt near the SUV where the bomb was found.

Holder said it is too early to designate the probe as a terrorist incident.

Nonetheless, whoever was behind the effort “intended to spread terror across New York” and if the device had exploded, “we certainly could have seen a substantial loss of life,” said the attorney general.

Holder said that the American people “should be assured that we are vigilant” and remain determined to stop any potential attack.

“That having been said, New York remains a target,” the attorney general added.

Holder spoke to reporters following remarks in Arlington, Va., at a conference on human trafficking.