Saipov Remorseless on Manhattan Attack, Trump Wants Death Penalty
New York Police Department have reported that the alleged terror suspect had planned the attack weeks ago.
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A driver in a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path alongside the Hudson River in New York City on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about a dozen others in what authorities said was an act of terrorism.
It was the greatest loss of life caused by a suspected terrorist attack in New York since suicide hijackers crashed jetliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan on 11 September 2001, killing more than 2,600 people.
- Suspected attacker planned terror attack weeks ahead, says NYPDUS President Donald Trump is calling for “merit based immigration” following the deadly truck attack in Manhattan
- 8 killed, several injured after truck drove down a bike path in Lower Manhattan
- One Belgian, five Argentinian tourists among the dead
- Saipov said “stated that he felt good about what he had done”
Trump Wants Saipov Hanged
US President Donald Trump tweeted saying that Manhattan suspect Sayfullo Saipov should be given death penalty as he showed no sign of remorse.
Argentina Mourns for its Dead
Argentina on Wednesday mourned the loss of five high-school buddies from the city of Rosario who were killed when a driver of a pickup truck plowed through a bike path in New York where they were celebrating the 30th anniversary of their graduation.
"They went to celebrate life, and found death," Jorge Cetta, a spokesman for the victims' polytechnic high school, said in an interview.
In Buenos Aires, Argentine President Mauricio Macri praised the five architects and businessmen as model citizens.
"We must all stand together in the fight against terrorism," he said. The president, who has a previously scheduled trip to New York next week, spoke on Wednesday with US President Donald Trump, who expressed his condolences, Macri's office said.
Saipov Appears in Court Handcuffed Wheelchair Bound
Sayfullo Saipov, accused of killing eight people and injuring 12 in Manhattan entered court in a wheelchair, handcuffed and with feet shackled, to face terrorism charges before Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses.
Saipov who was hospitalized after he was shot by a police officer and arrested, confessed to authorities that he made a trial run with a rental truck on 22 October to practice turning the vehicle and "stated that he felt good about what he had done" after the attack, the complaint said.
A Russian interpreter translated for Saipov. He did not ask for bail and was remanded to federal custody. It was not immediately clear where he would be held.
The 10-page charging document said Saipov waived his rights to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination in agreeing to speak to investigators without an attorney present from his bed at Bellevue Hospital Center in Manhattan.
FBI Seeking Information About Second Man
The FBI is seeking information about a second man, Mukhammadzoir Kadirov, in the New York terror attack.
US Govt Files Complaint Against Sayfullo
The US government on Wednesday unveiled a criminal complaint accusing Sayfullo Saipov in connection with the Manhattan attack
Saipov was charged with two counts, including providing material support to Islamic State, and causing the deaths of pedestrians with a truck he had rented.
The complaint said Saipov waived his right against self-incrimination while in custody.
It also said he admitted to having been inspired by Islamic State videos, choosing Halloween for the attack because he expected more people on the street, and having planned to proceed to the Brooklyn Bridge to strike more pedestrians.
Suspected Attacker Planned Terror Attack Weeks Ahead, Says NYPD
US investigators said that 29-year-old Uzbek immigrant Sayfullo Saipov, suspected of killing eight people in New York City on Wednesday, 1 November, followed plans conceived by the Islamic State group, and had planned the attack week ahead, reported Reuters.
"It appears that Mr Saipov had been planning this for a number of weeks," New York Deputy Police Commissioner John Miller told a news conference, as reported by Reuters.
New York Marathon to Go Ahead as Planned After Attack
The New York Marathon will be held as planned on Sunday albeit with heightened security measures, despite the truck attack that left eight dead in Lower Manhattan, city officials said on Wednesday, reported AFP.
"It will go on as scheduled. It will be an extraordinary event, as it always is," Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference, as per the AFP report.
Chief of Department Carlos Gomez added that there would be also will be an abundance of plainclothes officers, bomb dogs and helicopter surveillance.
Trump Calls for Merit-Based Immigration
President Donald Trump is calling for "merit based immigration" following the deadly truck attack in New York City that killed eight people and injured at least 11, reported AP. Trump tweeted on Wednesday that the driver in Tuesday's attack "came into our country through what is called the 'Diversity Visa Lottery Program,' a Chuck Schumer beauty."
Officials said the attacker is an immigrant from Uzbekistan who came to the US legally in 2010. They haven't said whether he came in through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, which covers immigrants from countries with low rates of immigration to the US.
Photos from Manhattan
Uzbekistan Looking Into Manhattan Attacker: Foreign Ministry
Uzbekistan is investigating media reports that the man who killed eight people in New York by mowing them down in a truck is a citizen of the Central Asian nation, an Uzbek Foreign Ministry official told reporters on Wednesday.
Saipov Moved to the US 7 Years Ago
Saipov, born in February 1988, moved to the United States seven years ago from Uzbekistan, a Central Asian country that was once part of the Soviet Union. He appears to have lived in Ohio, Florida and New Jersey since then.
An Uzbek immigrant who met Saipov in Florida several years ago told the Times that Saipov worked as a truck driver there but began driving for Uber when he moved to New Jersey. Kobiljon Matkarov told the Times:
Uber Confirms Suspect Was a Driver
As per news reports, Uber has confirmed the Manhattan terrorist attack suspect used to be one of their drivers. A note pledging allegiance to ISIS was found outside the truck that the attacker used to plough through pedestrians.
1 Belgian, 5 Argentinians Among the Dead
One Belgian, and five Argentinian tourists are among the eight dead.
Argentina's Foreign Ministry says the Argentinian victims were among a group of friends who traveled to New York from Rosario. The Ministry statement claimed that the victims were celebrating the 30th anniversary of their graduation from Polytechnic College of Rosario.
The Ministry says it stands "with the families in this terrible moment of deep pain, which is shared by all Argentines."
NYC Resilient as Ever: Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra, who is currently in the US, also tweeted condolences for the victims. “This happened 5 blocks from my home,” she wrote.
Watch: Manhattan Attack Suspect Captured on Video
(Courtesy: AP)
PM Modi Condemns the NYC Attack
In a message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘strongly condemned’ the terror attack in New York City. “My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with those injured,” he said.
Like Modi, other world leaders also condemned the attack including former US President Barack Obama.
(New Yorkers are known for their strength, and we know that they will be together this time again.)
West Side Highway Closed
The NYPD is currently investigating in the West Side Highway area.
Terror Trail
A man of possibly Uzbek origin plowed a rental truck through pedestrians and bikers along the Hudson River bicycle path in Tribeca before crashing into a school bus in front of Stuyvesant High School.
Terror Suspect Likely From Uzbekistan
A US official familiar with the investigation into a man suspected of driving a rented truck down a bike path near the World Trade center and killing eight people says the man is from Uzbekistan and came to the US in 2010.
A law enforcement official says Saipov has a Florida license but may have been staying in New Jersey.
Police say the man who appeared to be carrying was shot in the abdomen by officers and is hospitalized in a critical condition.
Suspect Shouted "Allahu Akbar", Claims Law Enforcement Officer
A law enforcement official says that witnesses told police that the man who drove the rented truck onto a bike path in New York City, shouted "allahu akbar."
The official was familiar with the investigation but wasn't authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Trump Calls Attacker 'Sick and Deranged'
US President Donald Trump tweeted following the attack in New York City. Condemning the attack, Trump called the suspect ‘sick and deranged.’ He aslo said that law enforcement is tracking the attack closely.
President Trump is railing against the Islamic State group, says it is ‘Enough!’.
Trump also offered “thoughts, condolences and prayers” to the victims and their families, saying, “God and your country are with you!”
Trump has also ordered the Homeland Security to boost Extreme Vetting Program to restrict flow of tourists in the country.
No Evidence of Wider Plot: New York Governor
New York Governor Cuomo says vehicle driving on bike path was 'lone wolf' attack; no evidence it was part of wider plot.
New York Mayor Calls It 'an Act of Terror'
New York Mayor De Blasio calls the incident an ‘an act of terror’. He asks the countrymen to remain calm as there are no more threats right now. He extended his sympathy to the families of the deceased.
The First Lady Expresses Grief
The First Lady of the United States of America Melania Trump took to Twitter to express her grief for the victims of the Manhattan attack.
NBC Airs Video of the Suspect
NBC airs footage shot by high school student of the purported assailant in Manhattan.
6 Killed, 9 Injured, Says Police Source
A law enforcement official says at least six people were killed and nine injured when a rented van drove on a bike path near the World Trade Center in New York City.
The driver of the rented Home Depot van emerged from the vehicle screaming. The official says the man had two imitation firearms.
US President Donald Trump Briefed
US President Donald Trump has reportedly been briefed on the attack in New York, said a White House statement.
Attack Being Treated As Terror Attack: Sources
A Law Enforcement source told Reuters that the incident in Lower Manhattan, in which a vehicle drove down a bike path killing several, and leaving many injured, was being treated as a terror attack.
Several Fatalities, Numerous Injured: NYPD
Following preliminary investigation into the incident in Lower Manhattan, New York Police Department said that there were “several fatalities and numerous people injured”.
Police Unable to Confirm Injuries
Police were unable to confirm if there were any injuries, but local media reported at least five, including possible fatalities. The incident took place near the West Side Highway and Chambers Street, police said.
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.
Motorist Struck Several People, Opened Fire: Police
Police and witnesses say that a motorist drove onto a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Center memorial and struck several people, then emerged from the vehicle screaming and firing something that appeared to be a gun.
NY Mayor Briefed
New York Mayor De Blasio has reportedly been briefed on the incident in downtown Manhattan and is on his way to the site of shooting.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also tweeted that he was briefed and was heading to the scene.
Reports of Gunfire in Lower Manhattan
New York City police were investigating reports of gunfire in lower Manhattan on Tuesday, and one person has been taken into custody, police officials said.
It was not immediately known if there were any injuries. The incident took place near the West Side Highway, police spokesman Ahmed Nasser said.
At least 1 dead following incident in Lower Manhattan, officials say, reported ABC News.
(This is a developing story. More details awaited.)
(With inputs from Reuters, AP)
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