Topline
A man was captured by police Monday after he allegedly drove a U-Haul repeatedly into pedestrians in seven different locations in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn on Monday, injuring eight.
Police vehicles surround a truck that was stopped and the driver arrested, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, in … [+]
Key Facts
Seven civilians and one police officer were injured, including two who are in critical condition, New York Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at a press conference Monday afternoon.
While the investigation is ongoing, Sewell said there is “no indication” terrorism is involved in the incident.
Sewell said officers responded to a 10:50 a.m. call of a single male driving a U-Haul truck in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn, and described the incident as a “violent rampage,” in which the driver struck pedestrians at seven different locations before driving away.
Police stopped the suspect before the entrance to the Battery Tunnel, which leads from Brooklyn to Manhattan, Sewell said.
Police have not released any information about the suspect, but multiple news outlets are reporting the suspect is 62-year-old Weng Sor whose son, Stephen Sor, told the Associated Press his father has a history of mental illness and has been arrested and jailed before.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been briefed on the situation and there are no additional threats, according to Fabien Levy, the mayor’s spokesperson.
Key Background
The incident immediately recalled an event in 2017, when eight people were killed after Sayfullo Saipov intentionally drove a truck at a high speed down a path along the Hudson River, plowing through pedestrians and bicyclists. Saipov was convicted last month. The death penalty phase of his trail began Monday. Sewell said police will investigate if Monday’s incident has any ties to the 2017 event. New York State Police are assisting in the investigation, New York Governor Kathy Hochul tweeted Monday.
Further Reading
U-Haul Hits, Injures Several Pedestrians On NYC Sidewalk (Associated Press)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/02/13/trucks-violent-rampage-in-nyc-leaves-8-injured-driver-detained/