Alleged Car Bomber Faisal Shahzad Faces Terrorism Charges

Faisal Shahzad, a naturalized U.S. citizen who hails from Pakistan was arrested as the suspected car bomber in the Times Square plot and faces terrorism charges.

Faisal Shahzad admitted his role in the failed attempt to explode a car bomb in Manhattan's theater district in the heart of Times Square, the Associated Press reports.

He was arrested while on board a flight bound for Dubai that was taxiing away from the gate at Kennedy Airport.

It is unknown how the alleged car bomber was able to board the flight with a last-minute ticket despite being hunted by the FBI and being placed on the federal no-fly list.

Shahzad was not known to the U.S. intelligence community before the failed bombing attempt.

FBI agents searched the home at a known address for Shahzad in Bridgeport, Conn.

The FBI is investigating possible ties between Shahzad and terrorist groups. The 30-year-old man is talking to investigators although he has claimed to have acted alone, officials said.

Addressing the Business Council in Washington D.C., President Obama said he plans not to repeat mistakes made after the Christmas Day airline bombing attempt. 

Many wanted to see terror suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried by a military tribunal rather than a civilian court.

In the case of the alleged Times Square car bomber, that may not be an option.

The current Military Commissions Act as passed by Congress is generally viewed as not allowing U.S. citizens to be prosecuted by military commission.

The Pakistani-born American now faces terrorism and weapons of mass destruction charges.

• How was bomb suspect able to board airliner? (Associated Press)
• Military Commission May Be Out for Alleged Times Square Car Bomber (Fox News)
• Classifications of Crimes (provided by Denner Pellegrino, L.L.P.)
• Constitutional Protections for the Criminal Defendant (provided by Stone & Law)