New York terror attack: What happened in New York? Here’s what we know so far

What happened in New York?
The attacker took aim few blocks away from the site
of the World Trade Centre memorial, running over
citizens on the cycle path before reaching a road and
hitting a school bus.
The terrorist then jumped out of the truck wielding a
pellet gun and a paint gun. He was shot by a police
officer and arrested.
The suspect has been named as Sayfullo Habibullaevic
Saipov, 29, an immigrant from Uzbekistan who has
been living in the US since 2010. He survived the gun
wound and is in custody.
Saipov reportedly left shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he got
out of the vehicle, and left a note in the truck claiming
he carried out the attack on behalf of ISIS. This has
not been confirmed by authorities, although the NYPD
commissioner said the statement made by the
attacker when he exited the vehicle was "consistent"
with a terrorist attack.
NYPD confirmed officers are treating the incident as a
terror attack and the FBI have joined police in the
investigation.
New York terror attack: A vehicle has ploughed into
cyclists in New York
President Donald Trump condemned the attack on
Twitter, writing: "Looks like another attack by a very
sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is
following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!"
He added: “We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter,
our country after defeating them in the Middle East
and elsewhere. Enough!”
Later on, Mr Trump said he has ordered US homeland
security to “step up our already extreme vetting
programme”.
He added: “Being politically correct is fine, but not for
this!”
At a news conference, New York Mayor Bill de
Blasio said: “This was a particularly cowardly act of
terror.
"I want to ask all New Yorkers and all Americans to
keep the families of all those lost in your prayers."
Governor Andrew Cuomo said that there is “no
evidence” to suggest the attack is part of a wider plot
or scheme.
Meanwhile, New York Police Commissioner James
O’Neill confirmed a 29-year-old male got out of the van
after driving the wrong way down the bicycle lane and
hitting several people, before coming to a halt after
ploughing into a school bus.
He was brandishing two handguns and an officer at
the scene “shot him in the abdomen”. The guns were
later revealed to be a “paintball gun and a pellet gun”.
New York terror attack: Police have confirmed a
number of fatalities
A police statement on Twitter read: "At approximately
3:05pm a 29 y/o male drove a rented Home Depot
truck onto the bike/pedestrian path at West St/
Houston St driving south.
"The truck drove south on the path striking multiple
people. 8 people were killed, 11 have serious but non-
life threatening injuries.
"While driving south on the path the truck collided with
a school bus at West St & Chambers St.
"After colliding with the school bus the man exited
holding two firearms. An officer assigned to the area
fired, striking him in the stomach.
"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."
New York terror attack: The van allegedly used in the
terror attack
An eyewitness told ABC Channel 7 that he saw a white
pick-up truck drive south down the bike path alongside
the West Side Highway at full speed and hit several
people.
The witness, known as "Eugene”, said bodies were
lying outside Stuyvesant High School, one of the city's
most prestigious public schools.
He also
reported hearing about nine or 10 shots, but was not
sure where they came from. It is now thought that
these could have come from police weapons.
Another witness told CBS News: “There was a huge
accident and someone was screaming gun."
Shocking images show the wrecked Home Depot van
that was allegedly used in the attack.
Another photo shows mangled bikes lying on the cycle
path, which runs parallel to the West Side Highway on
the western edge of Manhattan along the Hudson
River
New York terror attack: Police have urged people to
stay away from the area
Melania Trump has tweeted: “My heart breaks for NYC
today. Thoughts & prayers as we monitor the
situation.”
Theresa May said she was "appalled by this cowardly
attack, my thoughts are with all affected”.
She added: “Together we will defeat the evil of
terrorism.”

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