A Labor Day parade in New Jersey was cancelled after several explosive devices were discovered on a property along the route Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy were supposed to march, according to reports.
Police found “over half a dozen” pipe-bomb like devices on the property, according to officials. One man is in custody.
Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy were supposed to attend the parade, which was set to start at 10 a.m., according to spokesman Dan Bryan. The parade and other festivities were abruptly cancelled by borough officials Monday morning.
No direct threat was made to the parade or the governor. The devices were found during a separate investigation, but due to how close the property was to the parade, officials cancelled the parade “out of an abundance of caution," according to the senior official.
The official described the suspect as a “rogue individual” in his 50s who liked explosives. (NJ.com)
Explosives found near Labor Day parade route in N.J. town. One man in custody. https://t.co/LoY1AyCMAz pic.twitter.com/nwxHQoc86J
— NJ.com (@njdotcom) September 2, 2019
#SouthPlainfield #labordayparade cancelled out of abundance of caution after firework-like devices found at resident’s home which happens to be near parade route. 55-year-old Thomas Kaiser charged with possession of destructive device. Homemade fireworks illegal in NJ. pic.twitter.com/cqqnBbozsY
— CeFaan Kim (@CeFaanKim) September 2, 2019
NJ.com’s source in the governor’s office said the explosives were not powerful enough to kill anyone and the governor was not a target.
Murphy was also scheduled to attend another parade in Rutherford but that was cancelled due to heavy rain.
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