UPDATE: The driver of the vehicle that killed eight and left many more injured has been identified as 29-year-old Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov. Saipov, who is currently being treated in a New York City hospital, arrived in the U.S. from Uzbekistan to America in 2010 and has lived in both Tampa and New Jersey. Authorities believe he was acting as a “lone wolf.”
UPDATE: The NYPD have issued a series of updates about the situation on Twitter, stressing that the details are preliminary:
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
The suspect is in custody. This is preliminary, more information to follow.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017
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Chaos unfolded on Halloween Day in lower Manhattan after a man reportedly ran down individuals traveling on a bike path; one person is in custody, seven are dead and there are multiple injuries.
The suspect reportedly yelled “Allahu Akbar” during the assault, Fox News reported.
Due to police activity, avoid the area of Chambers Street/West St.
One person is in custody. Expect many emergency personnel in the area. pic.twitter.com/rSECr0LRCN— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017
Currently there is one person in custody. No others outstanding. All information is preliminary as the investigation is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/nsaUgZ8MJH
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 31, 2017
“Currently there is one person in custody. No others outstanding,” the New York Police Department tweeted just after 3:30 E.T. “All information is preliminary as the investigation is ongoing.”
NBC reported that there wasn’t initially clarity surrounding what, exactly, unfolded:
NBC News: Multiple people are dead and multiple people are injured following an incident in lower Manhattan. (1/2)
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) October 31, 2017
NBC News: It is not clear from officials if this was a vehicle hitting people, a shooting, or both. (2/2)
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) October 31, 2017
One witness said that a pickup truck drove into the bike lane. WABC-TV reported:
Preliminary reports from city officials said they believe this started as a dispute between two drivers with shots fired.
The sprawling crime scene runs several blocks. A suspect, who may have been shot by police, is in custody.
A witness said a man drove his pickup truck down the bike lane on the West Side Highway and ran over multiple people. The truck then crashed into a school bus at Chambers and West, the witness said, adding that the vehicle could not move anymore so the suspect got out and started shooting.
The New York Times is reporting that a man driving a Home Depot truck crashed into a school bus after driving on a bike path. The outlet reported that there could be as many as six deaths and 11 injuries.
Witness says a man drove his pickup truck down the bike lane on the West Side Highway: https://t.co/tEOtxluNnM (Photo: NYPD) pic.twitter.com/nRBaK2W3Jj
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) October 31, 2017
This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.