Eight people have been confirmed dead after a man in a rented pickup truck struck civilians after driving onto a cycle path in New York on Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking in the aftermath of the attack, New York mayor Bill de Blasio described it as an “act of terror”.
“This was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians,” he said.
Six people were pronounced dead at the scene of the incident, near the West Side Highway in Lower Manhattan, close to the World Trade Center, after the vehicle ploughed into several civilians and also a school bus.
Two people were later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, while at least 11 serious injuries were also reported, although the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The driver of the vehicle, a 29-year old male, was branding a paintball gun and a pellet gun and was shot in the abdomen by a NYPD police officer and transported to a local hospital.
The following information is preliminary as the investigation is ongoing. A media briefing will take place later. pic.twitter.com/lfcUdz1Jrf
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017
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
US President Donald Trump described the man responsible for the attack as a “very sick and deranged person” in a tweet posted on Tuesday afternoon.
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
