GettyAn emergency alert has been sent to all phones in New York warning residents to be on the look out.
In a move that conjures up disturbing images of a Big Brother-esque dystopian future, the message arrived simultaneously on hundreds of thousands of phones across the city, reports Mashable.
The alert requested people to look out for a man wanted for questioning in connection with the explosion in Chelsea this weekend.
If commuters weren't already on edge today, this alert which just rang through the entire train got us there. pic.twitter.com/RHAvTw0mlh
— Lance Ulanoff (@LanceUlanoff) September 19, 2016
The geographically targeted alerts, informed New Yorkers that 28-year-old Ahmad Khan Rahami is wanted for questioning by officials regarding the explosion in New York that injured 29 people.
Rahami is reported to have recently lived in Elizabeth, New Jersey and is of Afghan descent. He has brown hair, brown eyes, is 5’6 tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds, according to the FBI. Residents have been informed that if they see him they should contact 911.
Seen him? https://t.co/IvaT8sZs5n Seeking to find Ahmad Rahami Call 1800Call-FBI or https://t.co/vylOlg95dq pic.twitter.com/Xd2SXytZmD
— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) September 19, 2016
But it seems like the creepy alert may have lead to an increased nervousness among commuters, with various people tweeting about the incident.
On the subway, everyone's phones went off simultaneously w/emergency alert about Ahmad Khan Rahami. Like something out of a dystopian movie
— Pamela Engel (@PamEngel12) September 19, 2016
[tweet https://twitter.com/DeanMasello/status/777844338378346496 conversation=”false”]
[tweet https://twitter.com/RoperBilly/status/777851074447192065 conversation=”false”]
[tweet https://twitter.com/lalalod/status/777853068184608768 conversation=”false”]
If it helps to catch the person or people responsible for the explosions in New York then it will have served its purpose, but the knowledge they can do this sends a shiver down my spine…
