New York City terror suspect Akayed Ullah told investigators he chose his target based on Christmas-themed posters hanging on the walls near the Times Square subway station.
The 27-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh said he was inspired by ISIS attacks on Christmas markets in Europe, and was seeking revenge for U.S. airstrikes in Syria, according to The New York Times.
Ullah had a pipe bomb strapped to his body with Velcro and zip ties, when it exploded Monday inside the station. Smoke spilled into The Port Authority Bus Terminal and sent commuters running for the street.
Authorities said Ullah has been in the United States since 2011 and had benefited from a process known as chain migration. Chain migration allows immigrants to sponsor extended family members to live in the United States. President Donald Trump and Republican leadership have publicly opposed this policy.
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