According to international news sites, a car bomb plot was thwarted by the US law enforcers on Friday, targeting a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon.
A 19-year-old suspect bomber was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Portland police at 5:40 p.m. on Friday after he attempted to detonate what he believed to be an explosive-laden van that was parked near the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square.
The suspect was identified by the Justice Department as Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a Somali-born naturalized US citizen of the town of Corvallis in Oregon.
According to reports, Mohamud was closely monitored by a long-term undercover operation and the arrest was the culmination of the said operation.
Mohamud is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in Portland on Monday.