Officials: Investigators detonated replica of car bomb used in failed Times Square attack

Officials: Replica of Times Square car bomb tested

NEW YORK — Two law enforcement officials say investigators have detonated a working replica of the car bomb used in the failed Times Square terror attack.

The officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the explosion destroyed the SUV carrying the bomb, damaged other nearby vehicles and scattered flaming debris. The test was conducted in rural Pennsylvania last month.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about the test. They say the test showed that the bomb, if assembled and detonated properly, would have killed or wounded pedestrians and damaged buildings along the block where the car was abandoned.

Faisal Shahzad (FY’-sul shah-ZAHD’) admitted last month to building the homemade bomb and driving it into Times Square in May. The bomb failed to go off.