Metro

Father of college student who lost leg in mysterious NYC blast 8 years ago says NYPD has ‘turned its back’ on son

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Social Links for Dean Balsamini
Published June 29, 2024, 9:58 a.m. ET

Eight years after a college student was maimed by a mysterious blast in Central Park, the case remains unsolved — and the victim’s parents frustration with law enforcement grows.

Connor Golden of Virginia was just 18 years old when he and two pals were exploring the park on July 3, 2016, and he stepped on what investigators initially believed to be a homemade firework.

A photo of a smiling Connor Golden
Connor Golden (above) is “living in California chasing his music industry dreams” and “has turned the page” on what happened in Central Park on July 3, 2016, his father told The Post.

However, authorities later determined the powder that ignited was TATP, or triacetone triperoxide, a highly volatile explosive that has been used in terrorist bombings. 

The explosion tore off the teen’s foot, forcing doctors to amputate his left leg below the knee.

“We will not be satisfied with the investigation effort until there is closure and Connor gets justice. He deserves that,” his dad, Kevin Golden told The Post this week.

Golden said his family is “frustrated on multiple levels.”

connor golden on a stretcher surrounded by first responders and being loaded into an ambulance
Authorities determined the powder that ignited was TATP, or triacetone triperoxide, a highly volatile explosive that has been used in terrorist bombings.  REUTERS
The Post's front page on July 4, 2016, showing golden lying on the ground with an oxygen mask on his face
The Post’s front page on July 4, 2016. vmodica

He claimed law enforcement doesn’t return calls and cited “the endless succession of lead investigators that have been assigned to the case, only to retire or be replaced a short time later.”

He said his son, now 26, is “living in California chasing his music industry dreams,” and “has turned the page.”

The family started a Facebook page, “NYC Central Park Bombing Cold Case,” in December 2019.

A photo of Connor Golden outside smiling and looking at the camera with his prosthetic left leg.
Golden has never complained about “the daily burdens of managing his
limb loss,” his dad said.
A photo of the crime scene of an explosion where the young tourist foot was injured inside Central Park at East 60th Street near 5th Avenue.
Golden, a University of Miami student, was climbing on rocks near East 60th Street and Fifth Avenue with two buddies on July 3, 2016 when he stepped on the explosive object around 11 a.m., according to police. G.N. Miller/New York Post
A La Unica bag, where the explosives used in the blast were packed.
The explosives used in the blast were packed in a clear bakery bag,
authorities revealed on the two-year anniversary of the crime. FaceBook NYC Central Park Bombing Cold Case

There is currently a $40,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the incident.

The explosives used in the blast were packed in a clear bakery bag, authorities revealed on the two-year anniversary of the crime, as they asked for the public’s help in the case.

Kevin Golden said his son “has every right to complain about the injustice of the incident, about law enforcement seemingly having turned its back, having failed to find and arrest the perpetrators, about the daily burdens of managing his limb loss, but he never has.”

“There are no updates in the investigation. The $40,000 reward is still available,” an NYPD spokesperson said Friday.