ELIZABETH — A New Jersey man already serving a life term for planting bombs in New York City has been convicted of attempted murder and assault stemming from a shootout with police three years ago.

Ahmad Khan Rahimi sat quietly during the reading of the verdicts Tuesday

Rahimi engaged police in a gun battle after they found him in Linden, New Jersey. He fired at several officers and was wounded himself.

The jury deliberated over two days before convicting the Afghanistan-born naturalized U.S. citizen of all 30 counts.

Rahimi's attorney argued his client acted in self-defense.

Linden Police Chief Dave Hart said the verdict, "while not unexpected, is a much anticipated conclusion to the Rahami saga and we are grateful to the Union County Prosecutor's Office for their resolve in holding him accountable for trying to kill these heroes."

"Their actions on that day will forever inspire us, and this conviction sends a clear message that those who use fear and intimidation to disrupt our way of life will be stopped, and they will be held accountable," Hart said in an emailed statement.

A New York jury convicted Rahimi last year of setting off a bomb, injuring 30 people. A second bomb failed to go off.

Rahimi also is charged in New Jersey with placing bombs in Seaside Park and Elizabeth.

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