Earlier reports that the car that exploded at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing between Canada and U.S. was an apparent terrorist attempt are now being questioned. Fox News’ Alexis McAdams reports sources thought it was a terrorist attack because the explosion was so big and fierce. However, Gov. Kathy Hochul says there’s “no sign” it was a terrorist attack and that a “local” individual was involved.
“It has not been determined to be an accident. You don’t know whether the driver was intentional in how they drove,” she told reporters, “All I know is there was a horrific … incident, a crash, an explosion, loss of life, but at this time no known terrorist connection.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul: “…It has not been determined to be an accident. You don’t know whether the driver was intentional in how they drove … All I know is there was a horrific … incident, a crash, an explosion, loss of life, but at this time no known terrorist connection.” pic.twitter.com/C274lNArgy
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) November 22, 2023
The White House told Fox News, “We’re not really able to rule anything in or out.”
Speeding Car Launches Through the Air
What we do know is CBP has released a video of the car streaking at breakneck speed toward the gate, then launching through the air like a missile after apparently hitting the meridian.
🚨 BREAKING: Video released by CBP shows car flying AIRBORNE before fiery crash at U.S./Canada border
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 22, 2023
This security camera caught the moment of explosion, though not the car itself.
Security cam footage of the explosion at bridge between US/Canada border pic.twitter.com/2AJJlWwsyV
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) November 22, 2023
The explosion left two people in the vehicle dead and a border agent hospitalized with minor injuries. Social media posts show the fiery aftermath and damage to a security booth.
The FBI is investigating the car explosion on the Rainbow Bridge connecting the U.S. and Canada at Niagara Falls. The explosion happened as people are busy traveling for Thanksgiving.
Note: An earlier post named the wrong falls. I apologize. pic.twitter.com/3JxMezr1pI
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) November 22, 2023
BREAKING: Photo after reports of incident involving vehicle coming into the US on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, NY Gov. Hochul says being briefed on incident. All 4 international border crossings between the US-Canada in Western New York closed https://t.co/v3rws2450M pic.twitter.com/B2rFfYfRo9
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) November 22, 2023
So was this a terrorist attempt or a reckless driver? Viewing the clip, perhaps we should say extremely reckless driver. The investigation continues.
The incident comes one day after CBS News reported an increased terror threat to New York State.
.@CBSNews obtained intel alert which points to “an increasing terrorist threat to New York State” tied to Israel-Hamas war” + the “increase in civilian casualties raises the likelihood that violent extremist threat actors will seek to conduct attacks…”pic.twitter.com/Rkgk2ZiNKK
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) November 22, 2023