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U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station (no direct casualties)

The person at the center of this case

U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station (no direct casualties)

Case
#464
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) New York Office
Cold Case · Open
18 years waiting · since 2008

UNSOLVED BOMBINGS

Justice for U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station (no direct casualties) — the trail went cold in 2008, but the truth hasn't.

Start here

Key leads to think about

🎯
suspect
Lead #1

Unknown suspect wore gray sweatshirt and unknown color pants; height, weight, age, sex, and race all unknown. Could a lookout or surveillance team of up to five individuals in Times Square provide identifying leads?

🚗
vehicle
Lead #2

Why was a blue Ross bicycle specifically chosen, and can bicycle sales records or shop owners help identify the suspect?

🔍
evidence
Lead #3

The ammunition can design mirrors devices from Iraq and Afghanistan battlefields—does the suspect have military experience or connections?

On March 6, 2008, an explosive device made from an ammunition can filled with black powder was detonated outside the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station in Times Square, New York City. No one was injured, but the bomb could have caused significant casualties if detonated when people were nearby. The suspect remains unidentified, though the attack bears striking similarities to unsolved bombings at the British Consulate (May 2005) and Mexican Consulate (October 2007), suggesting a possible serial bomber operating in New York City.

Case
#464
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) New York Office

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More leads to consider

Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.

💡
clue
Lead #4

Three nearly identical bombings (2005, 2007, 2008) all delivered by bicycle between 3-4 a.m. at government facilities. Are these connected to the same serial bomber?

📞
contact
Lead #5

Did anyone witness suspicious activity or see individuals conducting surveillance in Times Square on the morning of March 6, 2008?

Have information about any of these leads?

Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.

Official wording

Source Narrative

New York City, New York March 6, 2008 Early on the morning of Thursday, March 6, 2008, a bomb exploded in front of the United States Armed Forces Recruiting Station in New York City’s Times Square. The device, which was built using an ammunition can similar to those found on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan, was filled halfway with black powder and detonated using a time fuse.

Although no one was wounded, the device could have caused significant injury and casualties if people had been close to the blast. The suspect rode a blue "Ross" bicycle west on 37th Street, took a right heading north on Sixth Avenue, and made a left heading west on 47th Street before turning left to head south on Seventh Avenue.

The suspect got off the bike near the recruiting station at West 43rd Street and Seventh Avenue, placed the explosive device at the recruiting station, lit a fuse, returned to the bicycle, and fled the scene. The suspect rode the bike south on Broadway before making a left on 38th Street.

The bike was later recovered in a dumpster near Madison Avenue and 38th Street. Although the suspect appears to be working alone, he or she may have had a lookout or surveillance team of as many as five individuals located in Times Square at the time the device was placed.

The suspect was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and pants of an unknown color. The height, weight, age, sex, and race of the suspect are unknown.

Details of this bombing are similar to those of two other unsolved bombings that occurred in New York City, one at the British Consulate in May of 2005, and the other at the Mexican Consulate in October of 2007. All of the devices were delivered by an individual on a bicycle and were detonated between 3 a.m.

and 4 a.m. The incidents may be connected.

Timeline of Events

🔍
2008-03-06
early morning (between 3-4 a.m.)

Bombing at Armed Forces Recruiting Station

Explosive device detonated outside U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station in Times Square. Device constructed from ammunition can filled with black powder, detonated with time fuse.

📋
2008-03-06
unknown

Blue Ross bicycle recovered

Suspect's blue Ross bicycle recovered in dumpster near Madison Avenue and 38th Street after fleeing the scene.

🕵️
2005-05-01
between 3-4 a.m.

Related bombing - British Consulate

Similar bombing at British Consulate in May 2005, delivered by bicycle, detonated early morning.

🕵️
2007-10-01
between 3-4 a.m.

Related bombing - Mexican Consulate

Similar bombing at Mexican Consulate in October 2007, delivered by bicycle, detonated early morning.

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:March 6, 2008 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:September 9, 2026

Up to $250,000 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case

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Case Information

Incident:March 6, 2008 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:September 9, 2026

Up to $250,000 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case