A man who drove a pickup truck into a bicycle path near the One World Trade Center building in New York City on Tuesday had a driver’s license with a Tampa address, police say.
At least eight people were killed and a dozen more people were injured Tuesday when 29 year-old Sayfullo Saipov drove a pickup truck into a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Center.
Saipov then smashed into a school bus and then jumped out of his truck and began running up and down a nearby highway waiving both a pellet gun and paintball gun, shouting “Allahu Akbar,” or Arabic for “God is great,” according to the New York Times.
Saipov was then shot in the abdomen by law enforcement officers and is now in custody.
Mayor Bill de Blasio called the violent incident an “act of terror,” the deadliest to occur in New York City since the Sept. 11 attacks.
“Based on information we have at this moment, this was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians,” de Blasio said at a news conference.
According to reports, Saipov came to the U.S. from Uzbekistan but had a driver’s license with a Tampa, Florida address. He may have been staying in New Jersey at the time of the attack.
President Donald Trump said his administration would provide its “full support” to the New York City Police Department as it investigates the terror attack.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of today’s terrorist attack in New York City and their families,” Trump said. “We offer our thanks to the first responders who stopped the suspect and rendered immediate aid to the victims of this cowardly attack. These brave men and women embody the true American spirit of resilience and courage.”
Gov. Rick Scott also weighed in on the terrorist attack from Toronto, where he was on a trade mission this week.
“I am absolutely disgusted by the act of terror that occurred in Manhattan today,” Scott said in a statement. “All of Florida is praying for the victims, their families and our brave law enforcement and first responders.”
Six people died at the scene and two more died at the hospital. The number of casualties could climb.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
