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.

Eight people are dead, according to New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio, who called it a "cowardly act of terror."

  • 8 people killed, more injured
  • 29-year-old male suspect in custody
  • New York City mayor: Cowardly act of terror

Police said the suspect, Sayfullo Saipov, entered the bike path at Chambers Street in a rental truck and drove at high speed down the path, striking pedestrians and cyclists.

Police said Saipov then pulled onto the road and struck a school bus. Saipov then got out of the truck, shouting "Allahu Akbar" and was shot by police officers. 

NYPD says the 29-year-old man had a paintball gun and a pellet gun. 

Law enforcement officials told the Associated Press anonymously that Saipov has a Florida license, but may have been living in New Jersey.

The suspect is undergoing surgery at an area hospital and is expected to recover.

Police say the attack is being investigated as an act of terror. 

 

President Trump tweeted shortly after the news broke:

"He never talked to nobody"

Unlike the chaotic situation Saipov caused in New York City, it was quiet at The Heritage at Tampa apartments, a Florida residence he was linked to.

Angelica Guzman, who lives just feet from Saipov's reported Florida address, connected the suspect and said she recognized him in the pictures now circulating online.

"He never talked to nobody," Guzman said. "He just walked outside, smoked a cigarette and go inside, close his door and his blinds and go inside and you don’t see him for the rest of the day until later."

Another resident at the complex, Mohamed Solomon, now lives in the unit where Saipov lived previously. Solomon told us he didn't recognize Saipov.

"I haven't seen the man," Solomon said. "Honestly, I haven't seen him at all."

Solomon also told us he attends a nearby mosque where many residents living in the complex worship, but Saipov was neither a familiar nor a welcome face.

"This is stupid people," Solomon said. "And you know, it's crazy one, too, because whatever beliefs is crazy beliefs, it's not Muslim at all."