SEASIDE PARK — Federal authorities do not know who is behind the residential street bombing that appeared to target a military charity race.

The FBI on Saturday evening urged anybody with information to contact their tip line.

“We are out there conducting interviews. We are out there securing evidence and we are making sure that there is no stone left unturned,” Brad Cohen, acting special agent in charge of the FBI in Newark, said at a news conference.

“Talk to us. If there us anybody out there with information, we urge you to call our 1-800 number, which is 1-800-CALL-FBI, and select option No. 1.”

The explosion blew up a plastic garbage can on D Street and Ocean Avenue about 9:30 a.m.

Nobody was injured, but only because the explosive device did not fully detonate and because the 5K Semper Five race, which benefits Marine and sailor veterans and families, had been delayed.

The race had been scheduled to start 30 minutes before the explosion. Nearly 3,000 runners and spectators were queued up.

 

After the blast, the race was canceled and the surrounding blocks were evacuated.

The borough's police chief said residents would be allowed to return to their homes after 6 p.m. Saturday. But residents living on C, D and E streets would have to show police identification before they could return to their homes.

The beaches along those streets and Ocean Avenue will be closed indefinitely.

The FBI took over the investigation Saturday morning from local authorities.

"We are working together to conduct a through investigation to find out who is responsible at this time," Cohen said.

Earlier in the day, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said the exploded bomb had been attached to two other undetonated explosive devices designed to blast out deadly shrapnel.

The FBI did not take questions from reporters at the news conference and did not release other details.

 

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.

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