Nearly a decade after an explosive device tore through a quiet stretch of Central Park and cost a tourist part of his leg, New York City police are again asking the public for help solving the case, this time with a fresh look at a key piece of evidence and a renewed cash reward.
On July 1, investigators with the NYPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives shared a clear photo of a distinctive plastic bag recovered near the 2016 blast site and urged anyone who recognizes it to come forward. They are betting that the packaging might jog memories that have been sitting on a mental shelf for years.
🚨WANTED FOR AN ARSON: On Sunday, July 3, 2016, at approximately 10:52 A.M., inside of Central Park, in the confines of the 22 Precinct in Manhattan, an explosive detonated resulting in a severe injury to a victim causing an amputation of the victims leg. The NYPD and ATF are… pic.twitter.com/yoWsfb61kS
— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) July 1, 2026
In the new July 1 post, NYPD Crime Stoppers labeled the unknown individual they are seeking as “WANTED FOR AN ARSON,” attached the bag photo and listed a combined reward of 17,500 dollars: 7,500 dollars from the ATF, 6,500 dollars from the NYPD and up to 3,500 dollars from Crime Stoppers. The post directs tipsters to DM @NYPDTips or call the Crime Stoppers hotline and notes that anonymous information that leads to an arrest may qualify for a cash payout.
What Happened In Central Park
The explosion hit on the morning of Sunday, July 3, 2016, at about 10:52 a.m., in a rocky area of Central Park near Fifth Avenue and East 60th Street. An explosive device went off and severely injured an 18-year-old visitor. Reporting identified the victim as Connor Golden, who was taken to Bellevue Hospital and underwent surgery. Doctors ultimately amputated part of his left leg, according to CBS New York.
The blast initially caused widespread alarm, with fears of a larger coordinated attack. Investigators later described the device as an apparent “explosive experiment” that did not appear linked to terrorism.
Evidence And The Search For A Culprit
Authorities have said laboratory testing detected traces of triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, in residue collected at the scene. In the years since, the NYPD and ATF released and then re-shared the photograph of a bakery-style plastic bag they say was found nearby, hoping someone might recognize where the packaging came from, Gothamist reported.
Investigators have previously said the device was likely the work of a hobbyist or someone experimenting with fireworks rather than a sophisticated bomb maker. They have asked the public to send in photos and video taken in and around that portion of Central Park that morning, on the chance a passerby unknowingly captured a crucial detail.
Renewed Push And Reward History
This week’s renewed appeal follows earlier public campaigns and even larger reward offers. At one point, officials advertised rewards that together totaled up to 40,000 dollars in an effort to shake loose leads that had gone cold, according to past reporting by CBS New York.
Detectives say cases like this can turn on seemingly minor tips: a remembered conversation, a familiar logo on a plastic bag, an old vacation snapshot that happens to catch the right person in the background. That is why the department periodically republishes the images and nudges park-goers to scroll back through their 2016 photo libraries.
Legal Notes
The “WANTED FOR AN ARSON” label in the latest NYPD post reflects how investigators are classifying the act. No public arrest has been announced and the case remains open, according to reporting and prior NYPD statements cited by Gothamist.
If tips eventually lead to an arrest, prosecutors could pursue arson-related and explosives-related charges. For now, investigators are focused on tracking down new leads and wringing as much information as possible out of the physical evidence.
How To Pass Along Tips
Investigators are asking anyone who recognizes the plastic bag or who has photos or video from the Central Park area around July 3, 2016, to reach out as outlined in the NYPD Crime Stoppers post: DM @NYPDTips or call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS. The NYPD and its partner agencies say tips sent directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and may qualify for the posted reward.
Background on how the Crime Stoppers program and hotline work is available through official NYPD channels for anyone who wants to understand the process before they pick up the phone.
Family Plea And What Comes Next
Golden’s family has repeatedly urged both authorities and the public not to let the case fade into the background as the years pass. Law-enforcement officials echo that any image or small recollection could help bridge the gap between a cold file and an indictment.
For contemporaneous reporting on the original incident and its aftermath, see initial coverage from TIME.
