Manhattan attack: What, when and how?

At least eight people have been killed and 12 injured in New York City after a driver rammed into cyclists and pedestrians before being shot by police on Tuesday. 

Here is what we know so far:

What happened in the New York City attack? 

• At least eight people in New York City died and 12 were injured after a driver rammed into cyclists and pedestrians before being shot by police, on Tuesday. 

• According to police officials, a 29-year-old man drove a pick-up truck into a cycle lane in Manhattan shortly after 3:00pm (19:00 GMT), subsequently hitting a number of people on the route. 

• The driver had reached speeds of around 60mph (100km/h) before hitting a school bus. 

• After the collision, the driver exited the vehicle brandishing two imitation guns, at which point he was shot by a police officer.

• Videos taken by passersby show emergency services treating those wounded with at least two people seen lying on the ground unconscious.

Where did it happen?

• The attack happened not far from the World Trade Center.

Who is Sayfullo Saipov?

• The New York Police Department identified the suspect in custody as 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov. 

  Sayfullo Saipov, the suspect in Tuesday’s deadly truck attack, is seen in an undated handout photo [Handout/St Charles County Department of Corrections/AFP] 

• NYPD Commissioner John Miller said that Saipov is a legal, permanent US resident, who arrived in the country from Uzbekistan in 2010. 

• The suspect was wounded in the abdomen and transferred to a local hospital, police said. 

• He had rented the pick-up from a Home Depot hardware store in New Jersey. 

• On Wednesday, Saipov was charged with providing materials and resources to ISIL, as well as violence and destruction of a motor vehicle. 

• Investigators told federal prosecutors that Saipov began planning the attack about a year ago and he wanted to “inflict the maximum damage against civilians”. 

• Investigators also said he was inspired by videos posted by ISIL. “In particular, Saipov was motivated to commit the attack after viewing a video in which [ISIL leader] Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi … questioned what Muslims in the United States and elsewhere were doing to respond to the killing of Muslims in Iraq,” court documents said. 

• The complaint also said that during Saipov’s interview with police, he requested that ISIL’s flag be displayed in his hospital room. 

• Saipov appeared in court later on Wednesday in a wheelchair. He was ordered detained and did not enter a guilty plea or seek bail, according to the Associated Press. 

• Authorities from the mayor’s office to the US Department of Homeland Security swiftly branded the attack as an “act of terrorism”.

• New York Governor Andrew Cuomo stressed that the suspect was believed to have acted alone. 

How many casualties?

• At least eight people in New York City have been killed and 12 others injured. 

  

  People place candles outside the Polytechnic School during a vigil in Rosario, Argentina [AP Photo] 

  People place candles outside the Polytechnic School during a vigil in Rosario, Argentina [AP Photo] 

• Five of the dead were Argentine citizens: Hernan Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damian Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hernan Ferruchi. They were visiting New York as part of a group of friends celebrating the 30th anniversary of their high school graduation, the Argentina foreign ministry said. A sixth member of the group, Martin Ludovico Marro, was among those hospitalised after the attack, the ministry said in a statement.

• At least one Belgian and two Americans were also killed. 

• Belgian officials said three of the injured were from Belgium. 

How did Trump respond?

• Donald Trump responded to the deadly attack in New York via Twitter, saying: “In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE USA!” 

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

• Trump later added: “We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!”

We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017

• Later, President Trump also offered his condolences: “My thoughts, condolences and prayers to victims and families of New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you!”

My thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017

Trump also said he ordered Homeland Security to “step up” the US’ “already Extreme Vetting Program”. 

I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017

• On Wednesday, the US president vowed to end the US “diversity visa lottery programme”, saying he wants to replace it with a “Merit Based” system. 

We are fighting hard for Merit Based immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems. We must get MUCH tougher (and smarter). @foxandfriends

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017

• New work City Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference on Tuesday that: “This was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror, aimed at innocent civilians, aimed at people going about their lives who had no idea what was about to hit them.” 

This was a cowardly act of terror. It was intended to break our spirit. But New Yorkers are resilient. We will be undeterred.

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) October 31, 2017

• Melania Trump also expressed her sadness: “My heart breaks for #NYC today. Thoughts & prayers as we monitor the situation.”

My heart breaks for #NYC today. Thoughts & prayers as we monitor the situation.

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 31, 2017

• In Washington, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement after being briefed by the FBI about the attack: “As the investigation unfolds, it’s critical that we learn what we can from this incident and do everything we can to prevent this from happening again. The scourge of terrorism is unfortunately still with us, and we must remain vigilant as ever.”

• President Donald Trump said Sayfullo Saipov deserves the “death penalty,”. He made the comments late Wednesday on Twitter.

NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017

 

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