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Day 2: 8 dead in New York rampage, truck attack on bike path in Lower Manhattan
The driver was shot in abdomen the by police and taken into custody after jumping out of the truck with what turned out to be a fake gun in each hand and shouting "Allahu Akbar!" officials said. His condition was not immediately released. The incident happened just after 3 p.m. ET on the bike path that runs along the West Side Highway in Lower Manhattan. NYPD officials said a truck driven by a 29-year-old man entered the West Street pedestrian/bike path a few blocks north of Chambers Street. It proceeded to strike multiple people on the path. The driver barreled along the bike path for the equivalent of about 14 blocks, or around eight-tenths of a mile, before slamming into a small yellow school bus. The driver exited the vehicle displaying imitation firearms -- a pellet gun and a paintball gun -- and was shot by NYPD officers, Sherlocks said. Video showed him running through the street, likely before he was stopped by NYPD. The mayhem and the burst of police gunfire set off panic in the neighborhood and left the pavement strewn with mangled bicycles and bodies that were soon covered with sheets. "I saw a lot of blood over there. A lot of people on the ground," said Chen Yi, an Uber driver. The suspect is in jug. Multiple law enforcement officials tell ABC News that the suspect In custody is identified as 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov. His drivers license shows an address in Tampa, Florida, but sources said he also a recent address in Paterson, New Jersey. The sources added that Saipov left a note saying he had done the attack on behalf of ISIS. One witness report is that the suspect yelled "Allah Akbar" after getting out of the vehicle, and that's what makes them believe it's terror-related. "This was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians, aimed at people going about their lives who had no idea what was about to hit them," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. The truck is a white rental truck, which can be seen in this photo provided by NYPD. A spokesperson for Home Depot confirmed that it's a truck that belongs to the retail chain: "I can confirm it was a Home Depot rental truck. We'll be cooperating with authorities in their investigation. At this point you'll need to speak with them for any additional information." Officials said this does not appear to be connected to any larger terror group or events. New York Gov. Andrew SonnyCuomo  said there is no ongoing threat in New York City, but New Yorkers should expect to see more security.The FBI is working with the NYPD in the investigation. RELATED: What we know about rampage suspect Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov Authorities say he came to the United States seven years ago from Uzbekistan under what is called the Diversity Visa Program, which offers a lottery for people from countries with few immigrants in America. Sources tell ABC News that in addition to an address in Tampa, he also lived in Ohio and most recently, in Paterson, New Jersey, where he lived with his wife and three children, according to a law enforcement official.
Saipov has two trucking companies registered under his name, and also worked as an Uber driver. One man who knew him said he was very friendly and good with kids, but feared having his photo taken. He survived and is out of surgery. ISIS flags and notes pledging his allegiance were found in the truck he used. Police are investigating a Home Depot in Passaic where Saipov is believed to have rented the truck.
US media report that Saipov has a criminal record, however his record includes mostly traffic violations committed in Missouri and Pennsylvania.
Posted by: trailing wife 2017-11-01 |
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