Pipe bomb explodes before USMC charity run in New Jersey

Thirty homes were evacuated after a pipe bomb exploded in Seaside Park, N.J. around 9:30 a.m. just as runners were about to participate in a 5K charity race to benefit Marines and sailors.

This was the third annual "Semper Five" run, the Marine Corps  spin on the slogan "Semper Fidelis" which means "Always Faithful." Marines tend to shorten the slogan to simply "Semper Fi."

There were no reported injuries but the run was canceled.

The bomb was detonated in a plastic garbage can when it detonated. Authorities immediately cleared the boardwalk and beach area and bomb-sniffing dogs were used to search the area.

Investigators found other explosive devices "wired together" in the same garbage can, but the terrorist who rigged them screwed up and they didn't detonate. A spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office reported the discovery of the devices to the Newark Star-Ledger.

"We've evacuated within a four-block perimeter, " Al Della Fave, the spokesman said. "Traffic into Seaside Park is closed, but (motorists) are allowed to go to Seaside Heights."

According to officials, runners were expected to be passing the area around the same time the blast went off, but the start of the race was delayed after an unattended backpack was found.

The New Jersey State Police, the DHS, FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were part of the investigation into the incident.

"We have various K9s throughout the area, bomb dogs that are making sure the area is safe and secure," an law enforcement official told WCBS 880 radio.

It hasn't been determined wether the motivation for the act was Islamic terrorism. However, the event was dedicated to helping the world's greatest fighting forces so I'm not betting against that yet.


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