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New York police confirm Manhattan attack is ‘terror-related’ New York police confirm Manhattan attack is ‘terror-related’
(about 2 hours later)
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has confirmed that the Monday morning explosion near Times Square was terror-related. It has identified the suspect as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has confirmed that the Monday morning explosion near Times Square was terror-related. The perpetrator was identified as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah, who said he was inspired by Islamic State propaganda online.
WATCH LIVE: 3 injured, suspect arrested in Manhattan explosion (VIDEOS)WATCH LIVE: 3 injured, suspect arrested in Manhattan explosion (VIDEOS)
NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill called the blast a “terror-related incident” during a news conference. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also referred to the incident as an “attempted terrorist attack.”NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill called the blast a “terror-related incident” during a news conference. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also referred to the incident as an “attempted terrorist attack.”
"Let's be clear – this was an attempted terrorist attack. Thank God the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goals. Our first responders were there quickly and the only injuries we know of right now are minor," De Blasio tweeted following the attack."Let's be clear – this was an attempted terrorist attack. Thank God the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goals. Our first responders were there quickly and the only injuries we know of right now are minor," De Blasio tweeted following the attack.
"We are a target because we prove a society of many faiths and many backgrounds can work – we show democracy can work. But we are the most resilient place on earth. We've proved it time and time again," he continued."We are a target because we prove a society of many faiths and many backgrounds can work – we show democracy can work. But we are the most resilient place on earth. We've proved it time and time again," he continued.
When asked whether the suspect had ties to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), O'Neill said "he did make statements" but refused to elaborate.When asked whether the suspect had ties to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), O'Neill said "he did make statements" but refused to elaborate.
The blast occurred at the Port Authority bus terminal. The suspect sustained non-life threatening injuries during the explosion. He was also in possession of a second device, which did not detonate. ABC News reported that Ullah told the authorities he was inspired to carry out the attack by IS propaganda he accessed online.
The explosion occurred in an underground passageway at the Port Authority, under 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, during the morning rush hour. The explosion was caused by a crude pipe bomb strapped to the man, which injured him and four others when it went off in the subway corridor near Times Square during morning rush hour. He was also in possession of a second device, which did not detonate.
Surveillance cameras captured the man walking through the crowded passageway between 7th and 8th Avenue under 42nd Street when the bomb detonated at 7:20am local time. The suspect came to the US from Bangladesh seven years ago, according to AP.
Elrana Peralty, a customer-service worker for Greyhound buses in the Port Authority, said she did not hear the explosion.
"All we could hear was the chaos," she said. "We could hear people yelling, 'Get out! Get out! Get out!'"
The NYPD, FBI and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force are currently investigating the attack, according to NBC News.The NYPD, FBI and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force are currently investigating the attack, according to NBC News.