UNITED STATES—Eight people were killed and multiple others were injured on Tuesday, October 31, after a suspect used a Home Depot rental truck to plow down pedestrians and bicyclists in lower Manhattan. The suspect has been identified as Sayfullo Saipov, 29, who was shot by authorities and is listed in critical condition in a local hospital. Saipov is originally from Uzbekistan and moved to the United States in 2010, and later married in Ohio in 2013.
At 3:05 pm., Saipov who was driving the Home Depot rental pickup truck entered the West Side Highway bicycle path at Houston Street, began driving southbound, striking a number of pedestrians and bicyclists along the route. At Chambers Street, the vehicle collided with a school bus, injuring two adults and two children. After the collision, the driver of the truck – exited the vehicle, brandishing two handguns, a pellet gun and a paintball gun.
The uniformed police officer assigned to the 1st Precinct, confronted the subject and shot him in the abdomen. He was wounded and transported to a local hospital. The suspect pledged allegiance to ISIS and officials indicated a notes were found written in Arabic and a picture of the ISIS flag inside the vehicle he used to mow down pedestrians and bicyclists.
NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill and Mayor Bill de Blasio of NYC both spoke during a press conference on Tuesday about the incident.
“Today was a loss of innocent life in Lower Manhattan. The dead and injured were just going on about their days heading home from work or school or enjoying the afternoon sun on bicycles. This is a tragedy of the greatest magnitude,” said O’Neill.
O’Neill commended the response of the NYPD officer that was on post near the location, who “stopped the carnage moments after it began.” He also praised the work of the first responders, including the New York Fire Department and the EMS personnel that helped save additional lives.
“Let me be clear based on the information we have at this moment, this was an act of terror and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians,” said Mayor de Blasio. Mayor de Blasio announced that over a dozen additional people were injured during the incident.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo revealed there was no evidence of a larger threat at play. “We will be vigilant, more police everywhere. You’ll see them in the airports and in the tunnels…out of vigilance and out of caution,” said Cuomo during the press conference.
Six victims, all males died at the scene, two others were transported to a local hospital, and later died from injuries they sustained. Eleven individuals who were injured the incident were also taken to local hospitals to be treated for injuries sustained. The names of the victims have not yet been disclosed to the public.
Written By Casey Jacobs