Faisal Shahzad, a naturalized American citizen of Pakistani origin, attempted to detonate a car bomb in Times Square, New York City, on a busy Saturday evening. He parked a Nissan Pathfinder loaded with explosives, fireworks, and propane tanks in an area frequented by thousands of tourists and residents. As pedestrians began to gather around, two alert street vendors noticed smoke billowing from the vehicle and promptly notified the police. Officers arrived, cordoned off the area, and were able to diffuse the situation before any damage occurred.

Shahzad had planned a larger attack as a response to U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, which he believed was harming Muslims and inciting violence against them. Following his escape from the scene, Shahzad was tracked down just two days later at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, attempting to board a flight to Dubai. His quick capture stemmed from the extensive surveillance and intelligence measures in place, demonstrating law enforcement's vigilance in the wake of previous terrorist incidents.

Shahzad was subsequently charged with multiple terrorism-related offenses and ultimately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His case sparked a national discussion about domestic terrorism, homegrown radicalization, and security measures in urban areas, leading to increased scrutiny of potential threats and the introduction of new protocols to protect public spaces from similar attacks.