New York City pedestrians struck, dragged by U-Haul driver; NYPD bomb squad on scene

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A man driving a U-Haul went on a "violent rampage" in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Monday morning,  striking eight people, including an officer, before being taken into custody, police said. 

New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at least eight people were injured and remained at area hospitals. 

"At this time, we have no indication that there is any terrorism involvement in this incident," Sewell told reporters at the scene Monday afternoon. "However, as always, we will continue to investigate this incident with the full resources of the NYPD and our partners."  

At approximately 10:50 a.m., officers responded to a single male driving a U-Haul truck in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn. The vehicle struck a number of people, ultimately being stopped near the entrance to the Battery Tunnel into Manhattan by highway patrol units. 

Sewell said investigators were still constructing the events and the information released at the first afternoon press conference from the scene was preliminary. 

NYC BIKE PATH TERROR ATTACK: SAYFULLO SAIPOV CONVICTED ON ALL COUNTS

Of the eight people struck, two are in critical condition, two were in serious condition and four sustained a minor injury. Seven of those people are civilians and one of them is a police officer "who was taking police action during this incident," Sewell said. 

Police have seven different locations to process, the commissioner added. 

NYPD previously confirmed a male suspect was taken into custody at Hamilton Ave and Columbia St.

"A man driving a U-Haul went on a rampage in Bay Ridge. He was just apprehended in Sunset Park. Several people were hit and badly injured. We have no idea of motives at this time, but this wasn't an accident," New York City Councilman Justin Brannan tweeted earlier. 

NYPD's bomb squad is at the scene to check the truck for possible explosives.

"I have been briefed on the developing situation in Brooklyn," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted. She said her team is coordinating with New York State police and the NYPD "and are ready to provide any assistance needed as the investigation continues."

New York City Mayor Eric Adams "has been briefed and has been following developments regarding the U-Haul truck that struck multiple pedestrians this AM in Brooklyn," the NYC Mayor's Office tweeted. "While the suspect is in custody, the NYPD is still investigating. There are no additional credible threats at this time."

Members of the NYPD bomb squad pause before approaching a rental truck after the driver was arrested for allegedly striking several people on Feb. 13, 2023. 

Members of the NYPD bomb squad pause before approaching a rental truck after the driver was arrested for allegedly striking several people on Feb. 13, 2023.  (WHD Photo/John Minchillo)

The driver of the truck fled the scene after mounting a sidewalk in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn and injuring several people, The reported. 

NYPD in Bay Ridge. 

NYPD in Bay Ridge.  (WNYW)

Police stopped the truck near the entrance to a tunnel leading from Brooklyn to Manhattan.

New York police gather at the scene where a U-Haul truck was stopped and the driver arrested for allegedly striking several people on Feb. 13, 2023, in Brooklyn. 

New York police gather at the scene where a U-Haul truck was stopped and the driver arrested for allegedly striking several people on Feb. 13, 2023, in Brooklyn.  (WHD Photo/John Minchillo)

The incident coincided with the start of the death penalty phase in the trial of Sayfullo Saipov, an Islamic extremist who killed eight people in 2017 by mowing them down with a truck.

NYPD on scene after a U-Haul reportedly crashed into pedestrians in Brooklyn. 

NYPD on scene after a U-Haul reportedly crashed into pedestrians in Brooklyn.  (WNYW)

But Sewell said Monday's rampage had no known terrorism element. 

NYPD respond to pedestrians hurt in Bay Ridge. 

NYPD respond to pedestrians hurt in Bay Ridge.  (WNYW)

Brannan thanked the NYPD's 72nd and 68th precincts, promising more information soon. 

A member of the NYPD bomb squad examines the cab of a rental truck that was stopped on Feb. 13, 2023, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. 

A member of the NYPD bomb squad examines the cab of a rental truck that was stopped on Feb. 13, 2023, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.  ( WHD Photo/John Minchillo)

WABC reported that one of the victims, a man in his 30s, was taken to Lutheran Hospital in critical condition. 

NYPD reportedly stopped a U-Haul truck that struck several pedestrians in Brooklyn from entering a tunnel to Manhattan. 

NYPD reportedly stopped a U-Haul truck that struck several pedestrians in Brooklyn from entering a tunnel to Manhattan.  (WNYW)

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Law enforcement sources reportedly told the New York Post the individual in custody is known to authorities stemming from a prior EDP [emotionally disturbed person] incident from 2019.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. WHD News' Haley Chi-Sing, Mitch Picasso, Maria Paronich and The contributed to this report. 


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