Homeless man hailed as a hero after reporting backpack bombs
ELIZABETH, N.J. — Lee Parker still pictures the explosion that could have happened if he had dropped the backpack he took from a garbage can on Sunday night while a friend bought beer.
“I see it sometimes in the back of my mind and I know I need to get past it,” said the 50-year-old homeless man from Elizabeth, New Jersey. “But, I feel good. I’m OK, and I’m grateful.”
Authorities say Parker and a friend contacted police after finding the bag near the Elizabeth train station Sunday. One of the bombs exploded while a police robot was trying to disarm it. Other devices found inside were taken away by investigators.
Police say the bag was left by Ahmad Khan Rahami, who was charged with planting bombs that exploded in Saturday in Manhattan and Seaside Park, New Jersey.