News

Eight dead after truck hits people in suspected NYC terror attack

by Max Greenwood - 10/31/17 4:39 PM ET

A truck drove off the road and onto a bicycle path in lower Manhattan on Tuesday, leaving at least eight dead and several others injured in what officials say was a terror attack.

After striking several people on the bicycle path, a suspect exited the vehicle displaying “imitation firearms” and was shot by police, the New York Police Department wrote on Twitter.

{mosads}

The suspect was identified as Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, 29, who came to the U.S. in 2010 from Uzbekistan and lived in Florida, according to CBS News. Sources told the network that the suspect was heard yelling “Allahu Akbar,” Arabic for “God is great,” as he exited the vehicle.

Authorities said that Saipov had left a note at the scene, saying he’d carried out the attack in the name of ISIS, ABC News reported.

The AP reported that five of the victims were from Argentina and one was from Belgium.

“All the evidence that we have suggests that he was acting alone, the so-called lone-wolf syndrome,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said during an interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN.

The vehicle continued south striking another vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle displaying imitation firearms & was shot by NYPD

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017

The suspect is in custody. This is preliminary, more information to follow.

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017

Cuomo announced that residents could expect to see an increased security presence at high-profile areas such as airports and train stations after the attack.

As a precaution, expect to see increased security at high-profile locations.

New Yorkers should be New Yorkers, we will not be deterred.

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) October 31, 2017

President Trump said in a statement that his administration would “provide its full support to the New York Police Department, including through a joint investigation” with the FBI after the attack.

“We offer our thanks to the first responders who stopped the suspect and rendered immediate aid to the victims of this cowardly attack,” said Trump, who was briefed by his chief of staff John Kelly on the attack. Trump said he would “continue to follow developments closely.”

My thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017

“As the investigation unfolds, it’s critical that we learn what we can from this incident and do everything we can to prevent this from happening again. The scourge of terrorism is unfortunately still with us, and we must remain vigilant as ever,” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.

Not long after news of the attack broke, first lady Melania Trump issued a statement on Twitter, saying, “My heart breaks for NYC today. Thoughts & prayers as we monitor the situation.”