Officials raise reward for Central Park explosion that hurt UM student

MIAMI (WSVN) - The New York Police Department continues investigating an explosion in Central Park last year that severely injured a University of Miami student.

The reward for information on that incident has been raised as college student Connor Golden continues to recover.

There have been no arrests and now a team of state and federal investigators hope the public can help in this case.

“Right now, we are missing a lot of answers,” said Chief of Detectives Robert K. Boyce. “We need a lot of information.”

On July 3, 2016, officials could be seen swarming the scene as Golden was carried out on a stretcher after he made a tragic misstep.

• Related: University of Miami student hurt in Central Park blast is healing

“This young man, Connor Golden, it will be one year, Monday, came here to slackline off this rock directly behind me,” Boyce said. “At which time he jumped down and stepped on a plastic bag filled with an explosive device, severely injuring his leg.”

The then 19-year-old’s leg had to be amputated at the knee.

While he recovered in the hospital, authorities worked to find the person responsible. Now they are asking for back up.

“We are calling on visitors to Central Park who may have taken photographs or video of the rock formation behind us in the days and weeks before to July 3, 2016,” said Ashan M. Benedict, who is with the New York Field Division of the ATF.

Officials hope a reward will encourage any possible witnesses to help. “To aid in the solicitation of tips and information, ATF, NYPD and Crime Stoppers are announcing a combined reward of up to $40,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the explosion,” Benedict said.

According to investigators, it does not appear the explosion was an act of terrorism — and they don’t believe the student was a target. They believe anyone on the rock formation could have triggered the blast.

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