NYC TERROR SUSPECT, AND ONE VICTIM, ARE FORMER CHS STUDENTS

Both the alleged suspect in the weekend terrorist bombings in New York City and New Jersey, and one of his victims, are former students of Columbia High School.

Ahmad Rahami, who was arrested today in connection with the bombings in Manhattan and Seaside, N.J., was a freshman at CHS in 2004, according to the yearbook and school district sources. He later attended Edison High School and graduated from there, according to a news outlet.

Ahmad Rahami in the 2004 CHS yearbook

In a strange, related twist, one of the victims, 22-year-old Harris Gordon, is also a Columbia High School alum, having graduated in 2012 and still living in the township after receiving a business degree from Boston University this past spring.

Harris Gordon, CHS Class of 2012

"It's hard to believe," Gordon said late Monday from his home when asked about the alleged bomber's CHS link. "To be honest, it was already shocking enough to see he was from Elizabeth and so much happened in New Jersey. That's very hard to believe at the moment."