Terror Attack in Manhattan Kills 8, Injures 11

A man drove a rented truck onto a crowded bicycle path in lower Manhattan near the World Trade Center on Tues, Oct. 31, killing eight people and injuring 11. After crashing the truck into a school bus, the suspect emerged from the vehicle and began brandishing imitation firearms. He was shot and wounded by police and taken into custody.

According to CBS News, Mayor Bill DeBlasio said, “This was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians.”

Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, age 29, who came to the U.S. from Uzbekistan in 2010, according to CBS News. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the crime as an act of terror. Witnesses stated that they heard the suspect yelling “Allahu Akbar!” as he exited the truck, according to CNN.

Saipov has a Tampa, FL address. He underwent surgery and is expected to survive his wounds. According to CNN, the suspect allegedly rented the truck and used a similar method of attack as other recent terror attacks. Officials recovered a pellet gun and a paintball gun from the scene. The truck was rented from Home Depot, which is cooperating with officials in the investigation.

Six people were pronounced dead at the scene and two more were pronounced dead at the hospital. Eleven others were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. A Belgian national was among the victims, according to CNN. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister tweeted, “I am deeply saddened to announce a Belgium victim in Manhattan – I express my condolences to the family and friends.”

Vehicles have been used in several other terrorist attacks in recent years, according to CNN. Police believe this is an act of terror because of the method used and what the suspect said after exiting the truck.