A U-Haul truck in Brooklyn, New York hit several people in a chaotic “rampage” that was caught on surveillance cameras.
The vehicle struck multiple pedestrians and pulled the wheels of the truck on Monday morning.
The incident happened at about 11 a.m. at various locations near 5th Avenue and Bay Ridge Parkway, the NYPD said.
Here’s everything we know so far.
There is no indication of a terror link
New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said during a press conference Monday afternoon that there is no indication that terrorism was involved. She also said that seven centers are to be processed in their investigation, adding that eight people were injured, including a police officer.
“The vehicle was stopped because it hit several people. He came to rest here behind us,” said the commissioner.
Ms. Sewell spoke about 30 meters in front of where the U-Haul was stopped, at the entrance to the Battery Tunnel that connects Brooklyn to Manhattan. Before his press conference, The Independent witness officers inspecting the back of the truck. Officers from the NYPD bomb squad were on the scene.
“At this time, we have no indication that terrorism was involved in this incident,” Commissioner Sewell told the assembled press. “However, as always, we will continue to investigate this incident with the full resources of the NYPD and our partners. What we saw today is a clear example of why the NYPD must be prepared for every possibility every minute of every day.
The commissioner said the NYPD contacted the vehicle after it hit people, adding that the suspect’s name and age will not be released at this time.
One victim dead, two in critical condition
Eight people were injured, two in critical condition, two in serious condition, and four with minor injuries, according to NBC.
Officials announced late Monday night that one victim had died at the hospital. The New York Post It was reported that he was a 44-year-old man who was hit while riding an e-bike on Bay Ridge Parkway and 5th Ave.
The driver was arrested near the Brooklyn-Battery tunnel, according to New York City Councilor Justin Brannan.
he tweeted: “A man driving a U-Haul went on a trip in Bay Ridge … Several people were hit and seriously injured. We have no idea what caused it at the moment but it was not an accident.”
The truck hit several people after driving onto the sidewalks in Bay Ridge, ABC7 reported.
One of those injured was a man in his 30s who was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Three men riding mopeds received minor injuries after being hit by the truck.
Surrounded by police
The driver took off the Gowanus Expressway after the crashes and took the Hamilton Avenue exit before being surrounded by police on Columbia Street in Red Hook.
“The police approached this driver and tried to get him to pull over and at that time he said something to the effect of ‘I want to die’ and started driving on the footpaths in Ridge Bay,” said Mr. Brannan, according to. ABC7.
A bomb squad was called to the scene, but nothing suspicious was found. The suspect is allegedly a homeless man who may be living in the U-Haul truck. He was taken to the hospital for a psychological evaluation, the outlet reported.
‘There are no further credible threats’
A spokesman for New York Mayor Eric Adams said he has been made aware of the incident and “there are no additional credible threats”.
The incident seemed “trivial, but it was clearly purposeful,” Mr. Brannon told NY1. “This driver knew what he was doing, he knew he was hitting people.”
Coldwell Banker’s real estate office is located on Fifth Avenue and Bay Ridge Avenue. The team said The New York Times that they heard something from outside that sounded like something being pulled by a truck. When they came out of the building they saw a man lying in the street.
Amanda Perez called 911 and a volunteer ambulance service but was unable to get through.
“I was shocked,” she told the paper. “To see him in that condition and to think that someone can get away from the scene was really terrifying. It’s devastating.”