The Associated Press is reporting that the mother of a "lone wolf" accused of plotting to attack police stations and post offices with homemade bombs has apologized to New Yorkers, saying, "I didn't raise my son in that way."
The mother of Jose Pimentel spoke to reporters outside her upper Manhattan home the day after her son was arraigned in state court on terrorism-related charges.
She also praised the New York Police Department, saying, "I think they handled it well."
Officials with the NYPD, which conducted the undercover investigation using a confidential informant and a bugged apartment, said the department had to move quickly because Pimentel was about to test a pipe bomb made out of match heads, nails and other ingredients bought at neighborhood hardware and discount stores.
Two law enforcement officials said Monday that the NYPD's Intelligence Division had sought to get the FBI involved at least twice as the investigation unfolded. Both times, the FBI concluded that Pimentel lacked the mental capacity to act on his own, they said.
The FBI thought Pimentel "didn't have the predisposition or the ability to do anything on his own," one of the officials said.
This is a case where a mother is showing love for her son while not living in denial. If he is convicted, she will need strength and support to help her understand how he strayed from his upbringing. Parents should not blame themselves when things go wrong with their adult children.
Read more at the Associated Press.