Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Teen Starbucks Bomber Described As "Nice," "Friendly"


By

Jen Chung

Published Jul 16, 2009

Modified Jul 16, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Chung

Published Jul 16, 2009

Modified Jul 16, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Little alleged anarchist Kyle Shaw, who was arrested yesterday for bombing an Upper East SIde Starbucks in May, is being held on $100,000 cash bail or $300,000 bond. According to the Daily News, the 17-year-old's father "said the high bail was just a way to keep his son in jail" but prosecutors point out someone could have been injured by the crude bomb, though no one was. Shaw's friends tipped off the cops, worried that he would strike again. A teen neighbor of Shaw's told the News that Shaw pulled a hunting knife on him and claimed responsibility for the bomb, "I didn't believe him. He was always bragging," and added that Shaw bought sunglasses similar to the ones Brad Pitt wore as Tyler Durden in Fight Club off eBay. Another friend and former classmate told the Times, "I would never paint him in that way, as a domestic terrorist or anything. He never gave an inkling that he was into that. He is very funny. Very outgoing. Friendly with mostly everybody," but admitted that Shaw really loved Fight Club: "He saw the movie and he read the book. He wanted to watch the movie in our English class in the 11th grade. We were discussing existentialism in class, and he suggested we watch the movie as an example. We ended up watching ‘I Heart Huckabees.'"

Tagged

bomb

fight club

Kyle Shaw

Project Mayhem

starbucks

starbucks bomb

Tyler Durden


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Mamdani must redo his pied-à-terre tax rollout, NY judge orders

A Staten Island judge ruled against the city in a lawsuit challenging the rollout of the new tax, a day after a billionaire casino mogul sued to invalidate it.

By

David Brand

Published Sep 29, 2026 at 4:11 p.m. ET

Modified Sep 29, 2026 at 5:07 p.m. ET


NYC eyes higher fines for owners of dirty vacant lots, abandoned construction sites

The sanitation department seeks to increase the fines for landlords who neglect their abandoned lots from $100 to $250.

By

Liam Quigley

News

NYC eyes higher fines for owners of dirty vacant lots, abandoned construction sites

The sanitation department seeks to increase the fines for landlords who neglect their abandoned lots from $100 to $250.

By

Liam Quigley


NJ Gov. Sherrill vetoes 2 bills meant to give strapped Jersey City more revenue tools

By

Michael Sol Warren

Brooklyn residents displaced after facade falls off neighboring building amid nor'easter

By

Catalina Gonella

Mamdani opts not to define antisemitism in report to combat Jewish hate crimes

By

Elizabeth Kim


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .