BY MARISSA CASTANOS
On Tuesday afternoon, at least eight people were killed in what New York officials have deemed a terrorist attack. According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), here is what we know so far.
At 2:06 p.m., the suspected terrorist rented a work truck from a Home Depot in Passaic, New Jersey, and one hour later drove the truck onto a bike path-walkway. The driver continued down the path, hitting any bicyclist or pedestrian that was in his way. The driver then collided with a school bus, exited the vehicle with a pellet and paintball gun, and shouted “Allahu Akbar,” according to witnesses.
An officer then shot the suspect in the stomach, and he was taken into surgery. The terrorist has been identified as Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, a 29-year-old who came to the United States from Uzbek in 2010. A senior law enforcement official told CNN that a note was found near the truck claiming that the attack was carried out for ISIS.
Saipov told investigators that he was inspired by Islamic State videos, and decided months ago that he would use a truck in order to “inflict maximum damage against civilians” on Halloween, as he assumed more people would be out on the street during the holiday. Saipov has been charged with federal terrorism offenses for providing material support to ISIS, and violence and destruction of motor vehicles.
President Trump responded to the attacks by tweeting that he has ordered the Department of Homeland Security “to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program.”
He also accused New York Senator Chuck Schumer of not being tough enough on immigration.