New York attack suspect 'made statement' after killing at least eight with truck

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has labelled the attack an 'act of terror'

Alexandra Wilts

Washington DC

Tuesday 31 October 2017 22:56

NYC police commisioner James O'Neill speaks during a press conference next to NYC mayor Bill de Blasio; EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ/AFP/Getty Images

(AFP/Getty Images)

The suspect who rammed his car into pedestrians in downtown New York City is said to have made a "statement" after leaving his truck.

During a news conference, Police Commissioner James O'Neill was asked whether the suspect shouted the phrase "Allahu Akbar", which means "God is great" in Arabic, or something like it

"Yeah. He did make a statement when he exited the vehicle," Mr O'Neill replied, though he declined to confirm the words used.

"The MO [modus operandi] of the attack is consistent with what has been going on," he added.

The suspect, said to be a 29-year-old man, deliberately drove into bicyclists and pedestrians in a bike path, killing at least eight people and injuring more than one dozen, according to police. After colliding with a bus, he then "exited the vehicle brandishing two handguns", Mr O'Neill said.

New York Truck attack

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1/6New York Truck attack

Investigators inspect a truck following a shooting incident in New York on 31 October 2017. Several people were killed and numerous others injured in New York on Tuesday when a suspect plowed a vehicle into a bike and pedestrian path in Lower Manhattan, and struck another vehicle on Halloween, police said. A suspect exited the vehicle holding up fake guns, before being shot by police and taken into custody, officers said. The motive was not immediately apparent.

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A paramedic looks at a body covered under a white sheet along the bike path 31 October 2017, in New York. A motorist drove onto a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Center memorial and struck several people Tuesday, police and witnesses said.

AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews

Authorities respond near a damaged school bus Tuesday, 31 October 2017, in New York. A motorist drove onto a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Center memorial and struck several people, police and witnesses said. Two adults and two children were on the bus at the time.

AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews

A young girl reacts as police officers secure an area following a shooting incident in New York on 31 October 2017. Several people were killed and numerous others injured in New York on Tuesday after a vehicle plowed into a pedestrian and bike path in Lower Manhattan, police said. 'The vehicle struck multiple people on the path,' police tweeted. 'The vehicle continued south striking another vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle displaying imitation firearms & was shot by NYPD.'

DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images

Police officers arrive at the scene following a shooting incident in New York on 31 October 2017. Multiple people were hurt in downtown Manhattan, US media reported after police confirmed that they were responding to reports of a shooting. Police said they had mobilized to the scene in Lower Manhattan and that one person was in custody, giving no further details.

DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images

Emergency personal respond after reports of multiple people hit by a truck after it plowed through a bike path in lower Manhattan on 31 October 2017 in New York City. According to reports up to six people may have been killed.

Kena Betancur/Getty Images

A police officer confronted the suspect and shot him in the abdomen, wounding him, he added. Police say the suspect is now in the hospital.

"This is a very painful day in our city," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference. "Based on the information we had at this moment this was an act of terror, a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians."

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