Online Fundraiser Started For 2 Homeless Men Who Found Elizabeth Bombs

ELIZABETH, NJ — An online fundraiser has been launched to help what the community is calling two "hometown heroes" who found a backpack full of explosives in Elizabeth earlier this week and helped to avoid a potential bombing attack.

Lee Parker, who is homeless, and his friend Ivan White found the backpack containing five pipe bombs near at the Elizabeth Train Station early Monday. Parker was reportedly looking to use the backpack to carry his lunch when he saw what was inside and notified authorities about the bombs, according to CNN.com.

Due to their efforts, an attack was avoided, authorities believe.

Ahmad Khan Rahami has been charged in connection with the Elizabeth bombs. The discovery followed a pipe bomb explosion in a trash can at a charity 5K run for armed services veterans in Seaside Park on Saturday.

Another attack happened later on Saturday on a street-corner in the busy Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. The explosion sent shrapnel flying into pedestrians Saturday night, injuring at least 29 people, including one person believed to be in serious condition, authorities said.

To help both White and Parker and thank them for their efforts, a GoFundMe online fundraising effort has been established.

"Had it not been for these heroes, Elizabeth NJ would have experienced a devastating terrorist attack. Thanks to Ivan White and Lee Parker, that explosion did not happen," wrote Donald Goncalves, who set up the fundraising site. "We owe them a debt of gratitude."

The money will be split three ways between White, Parker and the Elizabeth Coalition to House The Homeless — which provides services to the homeless and the needy.

"They have already been able to place Lee in a home and are working on permanent housing for him," Goncalves wrote.

In the two days since the site was launched, more than $22,000 has been raised — which is double of the site's goal.

Federal charges have been filed against Raham for use of weapons of mass destruction charge, bombing a place of public use, destruction of property by means of fire or explosive, and use of a destructive device during and in furtherance of a crime of violence.

(Image via GoFundMe)

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