At least half a dozen shots were fired in rapid succession, like a string of powerful firecrackers.

Michael Johnson, 21 years old, who was working nearby, said he ran to the scene after hearing an explosion that sounded like a "powerful firecracker."

Their most notorious stunt was to explode a toilet seat with a powerful firecracker.

He's already admitted tossing the powerful firecracker toward a group of fans that has three people claiming injuries.

An uneasy calm that prevailed yesterday in Washington Heights was shattered last night when a powerful firecracker injured two police officers, including a captain.

He was also demoted after he and another officer placed a powerful firecracker in a department holding cell, causing injury to a prisoner.

Two off-duty police officers were also injured, one by a random bullet and the other by a powerful firecracker thrown into his car.

"About 12 years ago I used to come down here with M-80's and blow up the water rats," he added, referring to the powerful firecracker.

He was also demoted after a prisoner was injured by a powerful firecracker in a department holding cell.

Mr. Carter said the blast sounded like a powerful firecracker and echoed through the station.