Eight Dead After Truck Driver Runs Down Pedestrians in NYC
31 Oct 2017
A suspect is in custody Tuesday after mowing down pedestrians in lower Manhattan, killing at least six, according to early accounts.
NBC New York is calling the incident a “suspected act of terror,” citing multiple officials.
Witnesses, according to Fox News, saw the suspect shout “Allahu Akbar” upon exiting his car after driving the wrong way on a busy bike lane near West and Chambers Street. After striking several people, the individual left his vehicle and was shot by police.
It was unclear initially whether the suspect used a gun, a truck, or both.
The New York Police Department reports it has one suspect in custody.
From the Associated Press:
“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.
Update 4:22pm eastern:
The suspect was shot twice by law enforcement after he was stopped on a bike path by a school bus that got in the way, according to Fox News.
Law enforcement sources confirm to Breitbart News’ John Carney that the police are investigating this as a terrorist incident.
Update 4:50pm eastern:
NBC News reports that the suspect is a male in his mid-30s. He has been taken to Bellevue Hospital.
He was targeting a school bus, according to the network, and the imitation guns he had were a BB gun and a paintball gun.
NBC New York reports that the suspect’s ID has a Florida address on it.