Faisal Shahzad (Urdu: Nastaliq???? ?????; born June 30, 1979) is a Muslim Pakistani-American (Pakistani American) being tried in New York City for the May 1, 2010, Times Square car bomb attempt (2010 Times Square car bombing attempt). On Jun 21, 2010 in Federal District Court in Manhattan he confessed to 10 counts arising from the bombing attempt. Throughout his court appearance, Shahzad was unrepentant, and the United States attorney indicated there was no plea deal, so Shahzad faced the maximum sentence, a mandatory life term.
Shahzad was arrested approximately 53 hours after the attempt, at 11:45 p.m. EDT (Eastern Time Zone) on May 3, 2010, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. He was taken into custody at John F. Kennedy International Airport, after boarding Emirates (Emirates (airline)) Flight 202 to Dubai. His final destination had been Islamabad, Pakistan.
A federal complaint was filed on May 4, alleging that Shahzad committed five terrorism-related crimes, including the attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. Shahzad waived his constitutional right to a speedy hearing. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
Shahzad has reportedly implicated himself in the crimes, and given information to authorities since his arrest, since receiving Miranda warnings. CBS News reported that Shahzad admitted training in bomb-making at a terrorist camp run by a militant Islamist faction in the Waziristan region of Pakistan. As of May 7, Shahzad was continuing to answer questions and provide intelligence to investigators. Over a dozen people were arrested by Pakistani officials in connection with the plot.
Date of birth: 1979-06-30
Birth Location: Pakistan
Residence: Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Nationality: Pakistani-American (Pakistani American)
Ethnicity: Kashmiri (Kashmiri people)/Pashtun
Citizenship: Pakistani/American
Known For: Arrested as prime suspect in 2010 Times Square car bomb attempt
Alma Mater: Southeastern University (Southeastern University (Washington, D.C.)); University of Bridgeport (B.A. in computer science and engineering (2002); M.B.A. (2005))
Influences: Anwar al-Awlaki
Occupation: Former financial analyst
Height: 5.0 Mtr
Weight: 165 pounds
Religion: Islamcite weburl=title=Exclusive: Documents found near bomb suspect's former Shelton home publisher=NewsTimes date= accessdate=May 6, 2010; cite newsurl=Bomb Suspect Seen As Good Recruit For Militantsagency=Associated Presspublisher=NPR (National Public Radio)location=Islamabaddate=May 5, 2010accessdate=May 5, 2010
Criminal Charge: 5 counts of terrorism-related crimes: ,1) Attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction;,2) Attempting to kill and maim people in the U.S.;,3) Using and carrying a destructive device;,4) Transporting an explosive device;,5) Attempting to damage building, vehicles, and other property
Criminal Penalty: If convicted, faces up to life in prison.
Criminal Status: Incarcerated, charged, and awaiting formal indictment by federal grand jury
Spouse: Huma Asif Mian
Children: 2
Parents: Father, former Pakistani Air Force Air Vice Marshal Baharul Haq
Relations: 3 siblings