New York terror: Attacker swerved into school bus

 

                            

  AT least eight are thought to have been killed in New York after a van ploughed into cyclists near the World Trade Center. Here is everything we know about what happened in New York.
    
Early reports suggest at least eight people have been killed after a rented van struck several cyclists and pedestrians in Manhattan, before a gunman got out with imitation weapons.
Police have confirmed that at least eight people were killed during the attack and said one person has been taken into custody after being shot in the leg by officers.
NYPD confirmed officers are treating the incident as a terror attack and the FBI have joined police in the investigation.
  
At a news conference, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said “this was a particularly cowardly act of terror.
"I want to ask all New Yorkers and all Americans to keep the families of all those lost in your prayers," he added.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said that there is “no evidence” to suggest the attack is part of a wider plot or scheme.
Meanwhile, New York Police Commissioner James O’Neill confirmed a 29-year-old male got out of the van after driving the wrong way down the bicycle lane and hitting several people, before coming to a halt after ploughing into a school bus.
He was brandishing two handguns and an officer at the scene “shot him in the abdomen”. The guns were later revealed to be a “paintball gun and a pellet gun”.

A police statement on Twitter read: “Earlier a vehicle entered the West St. pedestrian/bike path a few blocks north of Chambers St.
“The vehicle struck multiple people on the path. There are several fatalities and numerous people injured.
“The vehicle continued south striking another vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle displaying imitation firearms & was shot by NYPD.
“The suspect is in custody. This is preliminary, more information to follow.”
  

       An eyewitness told ABC Channel 7 that he saw a white pick-up truck drive south down the bike path alongside the West Side Highway at full speed and hit several people. 

The witness, known as "Eugene”, said bodies were lying outside Stuyvesant High School, one of the city's most prestigious public schools.

He also reported hearing about nine or 10 shots, but was not sure where they came from. It is now thought that these could have come from police weapons.
Another witness told CBS News: “There was a huge accident and someone was screaming gun."
Shocking images show the wrecked Home Depot van that was allegedly used in the attack.
Another photo shows mangled bikes lying on the cycle path, which runs parallel to the West Side Highway on the western edge of Manhattan along the Hudson River
Melania Trump has tweeted: “My heart breaks for NYC today. Thoughts & prayers as we monitor the situation.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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