Times Square Evacuated for Suspected Car Bomb

So, this happened?

Yeah, it did:

Times Square was evacuated earlier this evening around 6:30 p.m. for what law enforcement officials are purportedly noting as a failed car bomb. Tourists got shuttled out of their hotels, and shut out of Broadway shows. Broadway and parts of Eighth Avenue were closed off from 43rd to 46th Street. A car pulled up to 45th just West of Seventh Avenue, the emergency blinkers went on, the driver left, and the car started to smoke. Nothing detonated, a bomb squad was called, and a controlled detonation was performed. Officials noted to the New York Times that they “did not know whether it was related to terrorism,” but Reuters stated that “explosives, gasoline, propane and burned wires” were found in the the car, a Nissan Pathfinder. Meanwhile, a more nuanced perspective from CNN’s Nick Valencia:

Police say box and other items found near Times Square NOT confirmed at this time to be a bomb. Too much conflicting information to confirm

— Nick Valencia (@CNNValencia) May 2, 2010

The New York Times, on the other hand, found some tourists to say asinine tourist things:

Gabrielle Zecha and Taj Heniser, visiting from Seattle, had tickets to see “Next to Normal” at the Booth Theater on 45th Street but could not get into the 8 p.m. show because the area was blocked off. But they made the best of the spectacle. “It’s a whole different kind of show,” Ms. Heniser said, adding, “It’s almost the equivalent of a $150 show.”

And for seats that great? Who wouldn’t pay? [Answers: New Yorkers who know that when you hear the words “bomb scare” you do your best to get the fuh out of dodge.] Now you’re quoted in the New York Times sounding like a complete moron, too. Memories!

Police press conference before 11, we’ll update as we get it.