Official: Suspect in failed Times Square bombing talking to investigators

Official: NYC bomb suspect talking to feds

WASHINGTON — The suspect in the failed Times Square car bombing has been answering questions for investigators, a law enforcement official said Tuesday.

Authorities want to know whether Faisal Shahzad acted alone or was part of a larger plot. Shahzad is suspected of trying to blow up his Nissan Pathfinder with a crude car bomb Saturday night.

The official would not say what information Shahzad has provided and it’s unclear those conversations will continue. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the fast-moving investigation.

It’s unclear whether investigators have told Shahzad he has the right to remain silent and have a lawyer. Since the failed Christmas Day airline bombing, Republicans have rallied against that practice in terrorism cases.

So-called Miranda warnings have been commonplace in police investigations for more than four decades. And there is not a clearly defined way around them that doesn’t risk undermining the criminal case.

Shahzad was born in Pakistan but is a naturalized U.S. citizen. He has the constitutional right not to incriminate himself.

Republicans are already calling for the FBI not to read Shahzad his rights.

“Obviously that would be a serious mistake until all the information is gathered,” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said on the “Imus in the Morning Show.”