New York City pedestrians struck, dragged by U-Haul driver
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.
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.”