New revelations surrounding the terrorist attack in New York City that left eight people dead and twelve injured has surfaced revealing the suspect left behind a note saying he carried out the attack on behalf of ISIS. The terrorist has been identified as 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov and has been confirmed to be a driver for Uber although he was not operating in that capacity at the time of the attack.
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Officials say Saipov rented the vehicle which he used to kill eight and injure another twelve, five of whom were Argentinian and a sixth has been confirmed a visitor from Belgium. The identities of the victims have not all been released but Uber has confirmed that Saipov passed all background checks and that he has been banned from the app.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sayfullo Saipov was an Uber driver. The company is working with the FBI but hasn’t yet identified anything to cause concern in his history. <a href="https://t.co/F8bUKdPz8R">pic.twitter.com/F8bUKdPz8R</a></p>— Claudia Koerner (@ClaudiaKoerner) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaudiaKoerner/status/925553300254072832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The attack started when Saipov used a rental truck to mow down pedestrians and cyclists before finally ramming a school bus destroying his vehicle. He then got out and erratically wandered around the intersection before being shot in the abdomen by police and taken to the hospital for surgery. Saipov is currently in critical condition after undergoing surgery.
Saipov was originally from Uzbekistan and is reported to have entered the US legally in 2010. He has been living in Florida, New Jersey and Ohio since he entered the country. Belgian foreign minister Didier Reynders told news agencies that a Belgian citizen was among those killed in the attack and the victim "was a woman from Roulers in western Flanders who was on a city trip with her sister and her mother."
Argentina’s president Mauricio Macri announced on Twitter that five Argentinian men were among the eight killed in the attack saying, "Profoundly moved by the tragic deaths this afternoon in NY. We place ourselves at the disposition of the families of the Argentinian victims."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Profundamente conmovido por las trágicas muertes de esta tarde en NY. Nos ponemos a disposición de los familiares de las víctimas argentinas</p>— Mauricio Macri (@mauriciomacri) <a href="https://twitter.com/mauriciomacri/status/925533225342197760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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NYPD Commissioner O'Neill also tweeted that New Yorkers are resilient and won't be deterred from enjoying the Halloween festivities.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NYers are resilient and won't be deterred. Great to see large crowd at annual Halloween parade in Village. Thx for showing world who we are. <a href="https://t.co/rl3gC0wXfl">pic.twitter.com/rl3gC0wXfl</a></p>— Commissioner O'Neill (@NYPDONeill) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYPDONeill/status/925547683737210880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Argentinian foreign ministry issued an official statement on the attack.
"The Argentine government expresses its sincere condolences for the death of Argentine citizens Hernán Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damián Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hernán Ferruchi, which occurred as a result of the dramatic terrorist attack in New York this afternoon.
Also, Martin Ludovico Marro is hospitalised at the Presbyterian hospital of Manhattan recovering from injuries suffered, out of danger according to the official medical report.
The compatriots, from the city of Rosario, were part of a group of friends celebrating the 30th anniversary of their graduation from the polytechnic school of that city when the tragic event occurred.
The consulate general continues working in contact with the police authorities and the hospital that received the affected, as well as with the relatives in Argentina.
We accompany the families in this terrible moment of deep pain, which all Argentines share."
In the statement we learn the name of the five Argentian men who were killed. They are Hernán Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damián Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hernán Ferruchi.
President Trump tweeted in support of New York city saying,
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you!</p>— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925497025386500096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The President also shared he is tightening up the screening measures to enter the country.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!</p>— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925534445393928199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Reports from the Associated Press indicate police are closing in on a white Toyota minivan at the Home Depot parking lot where it is believed Saipov rented the truck.
"Police have surrounded a white Toyota minivan with Florida plates parked in a New Jersey Home Depot lot.
The van is parked near the company’s rental trucks. Officials told the Associated Press the man suspected of killing eight people and injuring 11 more rented a truck from a Home Depot in New Jersey about an hour before Tuesday’s attack.
The man was shot by a police officer and is in custody in critical condition.
The Passaic Home Depot remains open. The minivan is cordoned off.
Home Depot spokesman Matthew Harrigan says the company is “fully cooperating” with law enforcement. He says the company requires a driver’s licence, insurance information and a credit card deposit to rent a truck."
The UK Prime Minister also commented on the attacks to express support for the victims.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM: Appalled by this cowardly attack, my thoughts are with all affected. Together we will defeat the evil of terrorism. UK stands with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYC</a></p>— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) <a href="https://twitter.com/Number10gov/status/925487822273961985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Rita Katz of SITE Intelligence Group commented on the attacks offering insight into possible motives related to the terror group ISIS.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1) After <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewYork?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewYork</a> attack, no claims by any terrorist group. However, attack style (use of truck) fits style of an <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISIS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISIS</a>-inspired attack <a href="https://t.co/dotj6wSr3j">pic.twitter.com/dotj6wSr3j</a></p>— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rita_Katz/status/925463366830903296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2) Amid losses in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iraq?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iraq</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Syria?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Syria</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISIS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISIS</a> has ramped up calls for supporters to perform attacks in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/US?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#US</a>, among other Western nations <a href="https://t.co/BuRYjVoZem">pic.twitter.com/BuRYjVoZem</a></p>— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rita_Katz/status/925467738662989824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">3) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISIS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISIS</a> media regularly pushes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYC</a> attacks. Issue 3 of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rumiyah?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rumiyah</a> even suggested vehicular attacks on Macy's Parade<a href="https://t.co/h9COsqi9GF">https://t.co/h9COsqi9GF</a> <a href="https://t.co/byVko9MaTU">pic.twitter.com/byVko9MaTU</a></p>— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rita_Katz/status/925468365078106112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Katz also shared information showing an ISIS supporter recently took a picture near the area where the attack took place.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4) Noteworthy: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISIS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISIS</a> supporter recently took pic close to area of attack in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Manhattan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Manhattan</a> <a href="https://t.co/rphjfeQzPh">https://t.co/rphjfeQzPh</a> <a href="https://t.co/HKrN6IK1Yl">pic.twitter.com/HKrN6IK1Yl</a></p>— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rita_Katz/status/925471658411950080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">5) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISIS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISIS</a> supporters celebrating <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Manhattan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Manhattan</a> attack, stating: "You killed men and widowed women and orphaned children…what do you expect!" <a href="https://t.co/LPLCc7sRDh">pic.twitter.com/LPLCc7sRDh</a></p>— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rita_Katz/status/925475832650436609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">6) Not surprising van rented: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISIS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISIS</a> advised renting for vehicle attacks in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rumiyah?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rumiyah</a> 3. Many ISIS vehicle attacks were carried out w rentals. <a href="https://t.co/tyR4qVqFC7">pic.twitter.com/tyR4qVqFC7</a></p>— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rita_Katz/status/925479729171451904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Look for more reports from The Goldwater as new information becomes available. Thoughts and prayers are with New York and this attack will not shake us, America is strong!
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Despicable.