Donald Trump condemns 'sick and deranged' New York terrorist who rammed into pedestrians, killing eight

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Chloe Chaplain|Ella Wills1 November 2017

President Donald Trump has condemned the “sick and deranged” terror attack in New York City which has left eight dead and dozens injured.

Mr Trump tweeted about the attack as the New York Police Department confirmed that the incident, in which a truck rammed across a cycle path, was an act of terror.

He wrote: “In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!”

He later added: "We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere, Enough!"

The Home Depot truck hurtled 20 blocks through Lower Manhattan before ploughing across a pedestrian and cycle path near the World Trade Centre memorial site.

The driver then collided with a school bus, injuring two children and two adults on-board, before exiting his truck branding two fake guns and screaming "Allahu akbar" which means "God is great" in Arabic.

The 29-year-old suspect was apprehended by a police officer who shot him in the abdomen before he was arrested.

A Home Depot van barrelled into pedestrians on a cycle path in Lower Manhattan
AP

He has been taken into custody and a paintball gun and pellet gun were found at the scene.

Two hours after the incident, which left behind scenes of mangled bicycles and bodies strewn across the pavement, officials confirmed it was a terror attack.

"This was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians," Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

Bicycles and debris lay on the bike path near West and Houston Streets
AP

Speaking at a press conference, he said: “At this moment, based on the information we have, we know of eight innocent people who have lost their lives.”

Speaking alongside the mayor, New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill said the driver was a 29-year-old man but would not immediately release his identity.

He warned New Yorkers to be vigilant but the suspect was believed to be acting as a “lone wolf” and not part of a wider attack plan.

Witnesses described a scene of panic and blood, with people screaming in fear and running from the truck and sounds of gunshots.

One traumatised student thought the incident was a “Halloween prank”, according to the New York Post.

“We thought the guns were fake and it was a Halloween prank,” student Laith Bahlouli said. “There was a car crash, and then he started to shoot.”

Another man who witnessed the incident unfold said he was “traumatised” by what he saw.

"Everybody was running," the witness, named Eugene, said according to ABC New York station WABC. "Everything was happening so fast."

He described one of the victim’s bodies as “mangled”.

The truck was travelling on a bike path in Lower Manhattan before it crashed into a school bus at Chambers and West Streets, near to a school.

Some bodies were lying near the high school's entrance, Eugene said. He added: "Thank God the trick-or-treaters weren't out yet.”

Another witness described the scene on the bike path immediately after the incident.

Attack: The truck crashed into a schoolbus
AP

He told NBC News: “I see a truck going down toward Chamber Street. He’s clearly in the bike lane and when I go down I see two gentleman lying in the bike lane with two tyre marks right across their body and you can tell they’re not here no more.”

After speeding 20 blocks, the driver of the truck crashed into another car, and then jumped out and waved imitation firearms.

The driver was reportedly seen exiting the vehicle after the crash looking “frustrated”.

The witness told CNN that the driver looked "frustrated" when he got out the vehicle.

"He did have a noticeable limp and he looked like he was dragging his foot a little bit and he was screaming in the street," he said.

“He looked frustrated, panicked, confused.”

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