Motorist Hits People on Bike Path Near World Trade Center

 

 

UPDATE 6:56 PM: NEW YORK (AP) – 2 law enforcement officials identify driver in New York City bike path attack as Sayfullo Saipov.

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATE 6:11PM: NEW YORK (AP) — A law enforcement official says that witnesses told police that the man who drove a rented truck onto a bike path in New York City, killing eight people, shouted “allahu akbar.”

The official was familiar with the investigation but wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Police Commissioner James O’Neill was asked at a news conference whether the suspect shouted the phrase, which means “God is great” in Arabic, or something like it. O’Neill replied: “Yeah. He did make a statement when he exited the vehicle,” though he declined to elaborate.

O’Neill says the method of attack and the suspect’s statement enabled officials “to label this a terrorist event.”

He says the 29-year-old man entered the bike path and drove south, hitting pedestrians and cyclists. He then hit a school bus, injuring at least two adults.

He says the man exited the vehicle brandishing a paintball gun and a pellet gun. He was then shot in the abdomen by a police officer and is now hospitalized.

 

 

 

 

UPDATE 5:52 PM:

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is declaring “NOT IN THE U.S.A.” after a man in a rented truck plowed into a busy bike path near the World Trade Center, killing at least eight people.

New York’s mayor has labeled the attack a “cowardly act of terror.”

Trump says in a tweet, “In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person.” He says law enforcement “is following” the attack closely and adds, “NOT IN THE U.S.A.!”

The driver jumped out of the truck Tuesday with a fake gun in each hand and was shot by police. He’s hospitalized.

Vice President Mike Pence says those responsible for the attack “must be held accountable.”

 

 

 

 

UPDATE 5:27 PM: NEW YORK (AP) – New York Mayor: 8 dead on bike path near World Trade Center in `an act of terror’ aimed at `innocent civilians’

WATCH New York Officials give Update:

 

UPDATE 4:46 PM: NEW YORK (AP) –  Law enforcement official: 6 people dead, 9 hurt as vehicle drives onto bike path near World Trade Center site.

 

NEW YORK (AP) –

4:35 p.m.

A law enforcement official says at least six people were killed and at least 15 people were struck by a rented van near the World Trade Center in New York City.

The official was familiar with the investigation but wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The rented Home Depot van drove onto a busy bicycle path and struck several people, then the driver emerged from the vehicle screaming. The official says the man had two imitation firearms.

Police say the man was shot by officers and is in custody.

The official says it is being investigated as a possible case of terrorism.

—

NEW YORK (AP) – Law enforcement official: 6 people dead, 15 hurt after vehicle drives onto bike path near World Trade Center site.

 

Updates from the NYPD Twitter:

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) – Police and witnesses say a motorist drove onto a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Center memorial and struck several people, then emerged from the vehicle screaming and firing something that appeared to be a gun.

 

An Associated Press photographer on the scene Tuesday witnessed at least two bodies lying motionless on the path beneath tarps.

The New York Police Department posted on its Twitter feed that one person was in custody. The department says it’s unclear whether anyone was shot.

A man who was riding in an Uber along the West Side Highway near Chambers street says he saw several bleeding people on the ground after a truck struck several people.

 

A witness said the truck had also collided with a small bus and one other vehicle.

 

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (Photo: AP/NYPD)

 

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