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
UPDATE 6:56 PM: NEW YORK (AP) – 2 law enforcement officials identify driver in New York City bike path attack as Sayfullo Saipov.
Praying for those in New York affected by the despicable act of terror this afternoon & for the safety of the first responders. #Manhattan https://t.co/I6jnrPq8Ip
— Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) October 31, 2017
Monitoring this situation closely. Please keep the victims, their families, and NYC first-responders in your thoughts. https://t.co/uFSfHgXyan
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) October 31, 2017
The act of terror in NY is a tragedy. Mourning for the lost. Praying for their families & those hurt. These acts of hate have no place here.
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) October 31, 2017
We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017
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.
While driving south on the path the truck collided with a school bus at West St & Chambers St.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017
After colliding with the school bus the man exited holding two firearms. An officer assigned to the area fired, striking him in the stomach.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017
The driver of the truck, a male 29-years-old, was taken into custody. A paintball gun and pellet gun were recovered from the scene.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017
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.”
The truck drove south on the path striking multiple people. 8 people were killed, 11 have serious but non-life threatening injuries.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017
In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017
29 year old male exited vehicle with 2 handguns on the Westside Highway. A officer from @NYPD1Pct shot suspect—per @NYPDONeill
— J. Peter Donald (@JPeterDonald) October 31, 2017
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:
Earlier a vehicle entered the West St. pedestrian/bike path a few blocks north of Chambers St.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017
The vehicle struck multiple people on the path. There are several fatalities and numerous people injured.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017
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
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.
Avoid the area of West St. (Barclay St. to a Christopher St.) #Manhattan due to ongoing investigation. pic.twitter.com/jPsvQUSMvL
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017
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.
There is one suspect under arrest following an incident on the Westside Highway in lower Manhattan. More to follow when it is available
— J. Peter Donald (@JPeterDonald) October 31, 2017
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)