By: Daniel Caudle and Brett McGarry
A man is in police custody after an attempted terrorist attack on Monday in New York City at the Port Authority Terminal during morning rush hour.
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said “This was an attempted terrorist attack.” Later saying that “Terrorists won’t win.”
The suspect in this attack is 27-year-old Akayed Ullah who was apprehended by police shortly after the explosion.
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.
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 11, 2017
Officials say the suspect claimed affiliation with ISIS, but refused to comment any further.
Three pedestrians were wounded when a low-tech explosive device strapped to his body blew up in an underpass, according New York fire commissioner Daniel A. Nigro.
“This incident was captured on transit system video. A further review and interview of witnesses is underway.
“A thorough background investigation into Akayed Ullah is being conducted by the Joint Terrorism Task Force,” said New York City police commissioner James O’Neill.
New York Police Department (NYPD) officers stand guard near Port Authority Bus Terminal after reports of an explosion in Manhattan, New York, U.S., December 11, 2017. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
At approximately 7:20 a.m. police responded to an explosion where they found Ullah with burns and wounds to his body.
The explosion took place in the posh district of Midtown West located in Manhattan.
Mr. de Blasio said he believed there are no other incidents, and the suspect is believed to have acted alone.
In a press conference Monday morning Mr. de Blasio said the bomb squad and FBI special agent bomb technicians are currently processing the crime scene to better understand how the device was put together, and what was in it.
The red arrow indicates where the explosion took place in New York City.
Video footage shows New York City streets in commotion following what mayor de Blasio dubbed an ‘attempted terrorist attack’
More details to come.