Wireless Cellphone Alerts On Bombing Suspect

Many people in the New York City area were alerted Monday (19) morning to a screeching, buzzing message about a man wanted in connection with explosions in the area over the weekend.

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A Saturday explosion in Manhattan injured 29 people. Other devices were found in the New York City area but caused no injuries.

The alert read, “WANTED: Ahmad Khan Rahami, 28-yr-old male. See media for pic. Call 9-1-1 if seen.”

Police had him in custody later Monday, after a New Jersey bar owner reported a person asleep in the bar’s doorway.

What are these alerts and how do they work?

WHAT ARE WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS?

According to the Federal Communications Commission, these text-like messages let cellphone users in a particular area receive notices about what are deemed critical emergencies. Messages can be about weather threats, Amber alerts for missing children or emergencies like a chemical spill.