On Tuesday afternoon in New York City, NBC News reported at least 8 people were killed after shots rang out in the city’s lower Manhattan. Details surrounding the violence indicated that it was not a normal shooting, as multiple news outlets reported that multiple cyclists were hit by a truck.
According to reports, several people were hit by a Home Depot truck that “appear[ed] to have driven down the bike lane on the street.” Shots came from the police after the truck drove down the path for nearly a mile. The incident, which is now being investigated as a terrorist attack, took place near West Street and Chamber Street, close to the September 11 Memorial site.
New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed reporters today, visibly upset as he broke down the impact the actions of a terrorist who drove a rented pickup truck onto a bike path in New York CIty’s West Side. The mayor confirmed that the death toll has risen from six dead to eight with at least 12 people injured.
The NYPD said via Twitter, “The suspect exited the vehicle displaying imitation firearms & was shot by NYPD” and that one suspect is in custody.
“It’s a very painful day in our city on the west side Let me be clear based on this information we have at this moment: this was an act of terror. 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. At this moment, based on the information we have, we know of eight innocent people who have lost their lives and over a dozen more injured. We know that this action was intended to break our spirit, but we also know New Yorkers are strong, New Yorkers are resilient, and our spirit will never be moved by an act of violence meant to intimidate us.”
New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill added to the press conference, saying, “This is a tragedy of tremendous magnitude.”
Counter-terrorism units were deployed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, “out of vigilance, out of caution,” according to CBS News.
NYC mayor: Based on current information, “this was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians.” pic.twitter.com/neYt5DheOx
— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) October 31, 2017