While early reports that implicate ISIS' involvement in Monday's [May 22] Manchester Arena bombing are still being investigated, is now being challenged by reports that confirm the attack to have actually been the act of a suicide bomber.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 22-year-old Salman Abedi; the son of Libyan refugees who was born and raised in Manchester. Although U.K. intelligence officials confirm that they had been monitoring Abedi prior to the heinous Ariana Grande concert attack that claimed 22 lives, they have not officially linked Abedi to any terrorist network. What authorities do know at this point is that Abedi executed the massacre using a homemade device composed of nuts and bolts.
Police reportedly raided the southern Manchester residence Abedi was traced back to and were able to detonate a controlled explosive he was housing, it is reported. They also conducted a raid on an apartment in the Whalley Range neighborhood Abedi grew up in and were able to arrest an unnamed 23-year-old suspect in nearby Chorlton, who's connection to Abedi remains unclear.
The complete picture of Abedi's motives, the degree of planning and resources he has put into waging the attack, and possible connections to international terrorism will continue to develop as the investigation goes forward.
Source: nydailynews.com
