A rampaging madman behind the wheel of a U-Haul in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn in New York City struck eight people on Monday, including a police officer, before finally being taken into custody by law enforcement officers. As you can probably already guess, this incident left many wondering if this was an act of terrorism, but as of this writing it’s being reported that authorities do not believe that was the driver’s motivation.
Keechant Sewell, New York City Police Commissioner, stated that at least eight people were injured during the incident and, as of this writing, are still at area hospitals.
“At this time, we have no indication that there is any terrorism involvement in this incident,” Sewell went on to tell reporters at the scene Monday afternoon, according to Fox News. “However, as always, we will continue to investigate this incident with the full resources of the NYPD and our partners.”
“At approximately 10:50 a.m., officers responded to a single male driving a U-Haul truck in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn. The vehicle struck a number of people, ultimately being stopped near the entrance to the Battery Tunnel into Manhattan by highway patrol units,” the report said.
Sewell then revealed that investigators were still working to construct events that transpired earlier in the day, clarifying that information released during the first press conference was only preliminary.
Out of the eight individuals who were struck by the driver, two are currently listed as being in critical condition. Another two in serious condition, with four having sustained minor injuries. Seven of the folks were civilians with one of them being a police officer “who was taking police action during the incident,” according to Sewell.
“Police have seven different locations to process”, the commissioner said. The police had previously revealed that a male suspect was taken into custody at the location of Hamilton Avenue and Columbia Street.
“A man driving a U-Haul went on a rampage in Bay Ridge. He was just apprehended in Sunset Park. Several people were hit and badly injured. We have no idea of motives at this time, but this wasn’t an accident,” New York City Councilman Justin Brannan posted in a tweet.
I have been briefed on the developing situation in Brooklyn. My team is coordinating with @nyspolice and @NYPDNews, and are ready to provide any assistance needed as the investigation continues.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) February 13, 2023
The NYPD bomb squad arrived at the scene to examine the truck for potential explosives.
“I have been briefed on the developing situation in Brooklyn,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Twitter. She then stated her team coordinated with New York State police and the NYPD “and are ready to provide any assistance needed as the investigation continues.”
.@NYCMayor has been briefed and has been following developments regarding the UHaul truck that struck multiple pedestrians this AM in Brooklyn.
While the suspect is in custody, the NYPD is still investigating.
There are no additional credible threats at this time.
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) February 13, 2023
Here’s more from the Fox report:
New York City Mayor Eric Adams “has been briefed and has been following developments regarding the U-Haul truck that struck multiple pedestrians this AM in Brooklyn,” the NYC Mayor’s Office tweeted. “While the suspect is in custody, the NYPD is still investigating. There are no additional credible threats at this time.”
The driver of the truck fled the scene after mounting a sidewalk in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn and injuring several people, The Associated Press reported. Police stopped the truck near the entrance to a tunnel leading from Brooklyn to Manhattan. The incident coincided with the start of the death penalty phase in the trial of Sayfullo Saipov, an Islamic extremist who killed eight people in 2017 by mowing them down with a truck.
But Sewell said Monday’s rampage had no known terrorism element. Brannan thanked the NYPD’s 72nd and 68th precincts, promising more information soon. WABC reported that one of the victims, a man in his 30s, was taken to Lutheran Hospital in critical condition. Law enforcement sources reportedly told the New York Post the individual in custody is known to authorities stemming from a prior EDP [emotionally disturbed person] incident from 2019.
With driving rampages becoming more common — somewhat, I mean it’s not like you see one on a weekly basis or anything — especially with radical terrorists of the Islamic variety, it’s no wonder folks were concerned about the possibility this might be just such an attack. Regardless of motivation, it’s horrific. The man responsible for the carnage deserves to have the book thrown at him.
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