The Latest from National Terror Alert Response Center

Terror Chief Baituallah Mehsud Claims Responsibility For Binghamton Shooting Posted: 04 Apr 2009 12:10 AM PDT Pakistani Taliban militant leader Baituallah Mehsud claimed on Saturday responsibility for an attack on a U.S. immigration center in New York state in which 13 people were killed. “I accept responsibility. They were my men. I gave them orders in reaction to U.S. drone attacks,” Mehsud told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location. via Reuters. This story comes to us via Homeland Security - National Terror Alert. National Terror Alert is America's trusted source for homeland security news and information. Share this post

U.S. Needs Patriot Act to Avert Attack, Kerik Says Posted: 03 Apr 2009 11:40 PM PDT Highly decorated former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik tells Newsmax that failure to renew the Patriot Act would place Americans in “serious jeopardy” and could lead to a “catastrophic attack” in the U.S. Kerik, who was President George W. Bush’s nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security before he withdrew his name from consideration, also said the detainees at Guantanamo Bay who could be released into the U.S. remain determined to “create the demise” of America. Newsmax TV’s Ashley Martella noted that FBI Director Robert Mueller has urged Democrats to renew the Patriot Act, which is set to expire in December, and asked how important the intelligence-gathering measure has been in keeping the U.S. safe since 9/11. “I think it’s one of the most important tools we have in combating terrorism,” said Kerik, who was police commissioner during the 9/11 attacks. "Director Mueller’s request is something that should be seriously considered by Congress. At the end of the day, being as responsible as they must be, I don’t think they’re going to have a choice but to renew the provisions and ensure the safety and security of this country. Without those provisions, I think we’re seriously in jeopardy. “You have to look at what happened on 9/11, why it happened, how it happened, the intelligence that slipped through the cracks. The criticism that came out of the 9/11 Commission hearings [was] about the lack of coordination, cooperation and intelligence gathering between our own agencies. We didn’t even have the ability for the FBI and the CIA to communicate. "So we now have the ability, from a state and municipal level to a federal level to an international level, for all that intelligence to be gathered, analyzed, and disseminated to the people that need it to protect us. “But if we lose these provisions, those elements and others will be lost, and I think the country will be in serious jeopardy… “If we fail, you could see a catastrophic attack in this country or on our soft targets abroad, and we can’t afford that again, particularly right now with the economy as it is today.” Source This story comes to us via Homeland Security - National Terror Alert. National Terror Alert is America's trusted source for homeland security news and information. Share this post

Binghamton NY - Shooting at American Civic Association - Hostages Taken Posted: 03 Apr 2009 09:44 AM PDT Follow Live On Twitter Watch Live On CNN UPDATE: Authorities are still sorting out the details after a shooting rampage Friday at a Binghamton, New York, immigration center left 14 people dead, including the suspected gunman. A senior law enforcement source with detailed knowledge of the investigation identified the suspect as Jiverly Wong, who is believed to be in his early 40s. Authorities executed a search warrant at Wong’s home in Johnson City, near Binghamton, and spoke to the suspect’s mother, the source said. Earlier in the day, Binghamton police Chief Joseph Zikuski said the gunman entered the American Civic Association building. At 10:31 a.m., authorities received a 911 call from the receptionist, who said she’d been shot in the stomach, Zikuski said. She told police that a man with a handgun also shot and killed another receptionist before proceeding to a nearby classroom, where he gunned down more victims, Zikuski said. Authorities said 37 people made it out of the building alive, most of the survivors managed to survive by hiding in a boiler room and storage closets. Nearby apartments were evacuated, and Binghamton High School was locked down for most of Friday afternoon. ———— People are currently being released from the front of the American Civic Association at 131 Front St., the site of a shooting this morning. At least four people have been taken out on stretchers. Four people left the building with hands on their hands. Police were searching some of them. Four people have been taken to hospitals. The Binghamton and Broome County SWAT teams are on the scene, along with a negotiator. The SWAT team is getting ready to re-enter the building. The shooter is still inside, police said. There were reportedly 41 hostages in the building — 15 in a closet and 26 in the boiler room. Family members of the hostages and victims are gathering at Catholic Charities at 290 Front St. in Binghamton, police said. At least two ambulances from the scene have arrived at Wilson Regional Medical Center. Police began staging at Oak and Main Street, the site of the Binghamton High School, shortly after 10:30 a.m. today. Local apartments were evacuated and businesses, such as a nearby nursing home, were placed under lockdown as a precaution. One male was down with a woman shot in the stomach, according to a police radio. The female victim was a secretary. Police have since called for 10 ambulances. Source This story comes to us via Homeland Security - National Terror Alert. National Terror Alert is America's trusted source for homeland security news and information. Share this post

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