Trump Condems NYC Attack, Says ISIS Must Not Be Allowed To Return Or Enter United States

Hours after a man deliberately drove into bicyclists and pedestrians on a bike path in Lower Manhattan, killing at least eight people and injuring many in an act of terrorism, President Donald Trump on Tuesday (31 October) said that the United States must not let the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) return to or enter the country.

Trump also informed that the law enforcement officials are following the incident closely.

"My thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you!" Trump shared.

Trump's tweets came after the New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident "an act of terror”.

"Based on information we have at this moment, this was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians," Blasio said at a news conference

Meanwhile, the US media confirmed that the suspect was identified as 29-year-old Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov of Tampa, Florida.

In a statement, the New York Police Department said, "A vehicle entered the pedestrian and bike path a few blocks north of Chambers Street. The vehicle struck multiple people on the path. There are several fatalities and numerous people injured. Adding, "The vehicle continued south striking another vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle displaying imitation firearms and was shot by officers. The suspect is in custody."

Meanwhile, unconfirmed pro-ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) social media sites have claimed the New York terror attack as one of their own.

However, terror expert Rukmini Callimachi said, “In general, ISIS doesn’t claim attacks if perpetrator is in custody.” In this case, the truck driver is alive and being questioned by the New York police.

According to the NBC News, the attacker was a Uzbek national who came to the US. in 2010 and has been living in Florida for the past seven years.

"NBC says suspect in NY attack was 29-year-old Uzbek national who came to the US in 2010 and was living in Tampa, Fla," Los Angeles Times reporter Barbara Demick quoted NBC News as saying on Twitter.

A senior law enforcement official said that the Federal authorities were treating the incident as a terrorist attack.

"He jumped out of the truck with a pellet gun, yelled, 'Allahu Akbar,' and the First Precinct lit him up," a law enforcement official said.

Several nearby buildings, including Stuyvesant, were placed on lock-down. ANI