New York Mayor Bill de Blasio says the explosion at a New York City subway near Times Square was "an attempted terrorist attack" that left the man officials say is responsible with non-life threatening injuries.
- Akayed Ullah, 27, accused of setting off pipe bomb
- Ullah suffered burns, cuts to body
- 3 other bystanders received non-life threatening injuries
The explosion happened before 7:20 a.m. at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue triggered a massive police response to both the Port Authority Bus terminal and Times Square and multiple agencies are conducting an investigation.
Video shows interior footage of the explosion inside a 42nd Street subway station. Officials say four people were injured, including the suspect. pic.twitter.com/VqczJ34w9u
— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) December 11, 2017
Akayed Ullah, 27, is accused of being in the subway with a pipe bomb tied to him with Velcro and zip ties before he detonated the device, causing serious injuries to him, described New York City Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill at a news conference. Ullah made a statement before he detonated the bomb, but O'Neill did not say what that was.
"This be also clear that this was an attempted terrorist attack. Thank God, the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goals. Thank God our first responders were there so quickly to address the situation, to make sure people were safe," de Blasio said at the news conference.
O'Neill called the device "low tech" and it injured three other people who were nearby when the bomb went off. Their injuries were minor, O'Neill described, and they were able to take themselves to local hospitals.
Ullah, however, suffered burns and lacerations and was taken to Bellevue Hospital, O'Neill said, adding that the Brooklyn man is in police custody.
"A thorough background investigation of the suspect is being conducted by the joint terrorism task force," the commissioner said.
Law enforcement officials said Ullah was inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria group but had apparently not had any direct contact with the group. The officials said he lives in Brooklyn and came to the U.S. from Bangladesh about seven years ago. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the blast.
O'Neill added that the attack was captured on transit system video cameras and the department is reviewing the video and interviewing witnesses.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the city will always be a target of attacks because of what it stands for.
"This is New York. The reality is, we are a target by many who would like to make a statement against democracy, against freedom," he said. "That makes us an international target."
However, that does not mean New Yorkers need to be afraid, says O'Neill.
"This is NYC, we don't live in fear. But if you see something suspicious you have an obligation to come forward and tell us," he said, adding that if anyone knows anything about Monday's attack should call: 1-888-NYC-SAFE.
At one point, New York Police Department sources told Spectrum News 13's sister station Spectrum New York 1 Ullah died, however the NYPD has stated he is still alive.
UPDATE: The NYPD says the suspect, still in custody, has not died.
— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) December 11, 2017
Spectrum News 13's sister station Spectrum New York 1 has additional information:
UPDATE: Our @joshrobin is in Midtown, on Manhattan's West Side, reporting on an explosion at or near the #PortAuthority Bus Terminal. The #NYPD has the suspect in custody and are investigating. pic.twitter.com/qosNklkImw
— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) December 11, 2017
BREAKING NEWS: @DeanMeminger reports his #NYPD sources have told him a suspect now in custody was wearing an explosive vest and detonated it, causing a massive police response to 42nd Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan this morning.
— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) December 11, 2017
The NYPD is responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin at 42nd Street and 8th Ave, #Manhattan. The A, C and E line are being evacuated at this time. Info is preliminary, more when available. pic.twitter.com/7vpNT97iLC
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 11, 2017
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has tweeted that President Trump has been briefed on the explosion.
Check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.