New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio has stated that the explosion that hit central Manhattan a few hours earlier was "an attempted terrorist attack," confirming that one individual was involved in the attack.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the NYC mayor and the governor of New York, NYPD Police Commissioner James O'Neill has announced that the suspect in the Manhattan attack has been identified as Akayed Ullah, 27, adding that the man "made statements" to investigators indicating that the attack had been carried out in the name of the Daesh terrorist group, but "the question is did he claim connection to ISIS."
READ MORE: Manhattan Terror Attack Suspect Identified as Akayed Ullah — New York Police
The statements were made after the New York Police Department had revealed that one person was taken into custody after the explosion, with at least four people wounded as a result of the blast, pointing out that "all injuries are non-life-threatening," which has been confirmed by the New York Fire Department as well.
According to MSNBC, citing former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton, the preliminary information suggests the suspect is in his 20s, possibly from Bangladesh, living in the US for seven years, "who supposedly was setting the device off in the name of Daesh."
A minor NYC media outlet has reported that the suspect is a 27-year-old man from Brooklyn, with investigators reportedly heading to his home.
However, this information has not yet been confirmed by any official sources.
A NYPD official has revealed to NBC that the investigation into the blast is being lead by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.
UPDATE: the suspect is man from Brooklyn, east Flatbush area, Investigators are on the way to his home, for further investigations
— New York City Alerts (@NYCityAlerts) 11 декабря 2017 г.
According to the White House, the US president has been briefed on the incident and New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio has also been informed of the explosion.
The Mayor has been briefed on the incident in Midtown. The NYPD, FDNY and first responders are on the scene.
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) 11 декабря 2017 г.
Meanwhile, CNN has reported that police have found 1-2 explosive devices at the scene and are still searching for additional bombs at the site.
The explosion hit a bus terminal in Manhattan near Times Square.
The NYPD is responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin at 42nd Street and 8th Ave, #Manhattan. The A, C and E line are being evacuated at this time. Info is preliminary, more when available. pic.twitter.com/7vpNT97iLC
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) 11 декабря 2017 г.
#breaking: NYPD responding to reports of an explosion around 42nd Street and 8th Ave, #Manhattan. The A, C and E line are being evacuated at this time. pic.twitter.com/Yh0gA7aeuG
— Preston Phillips (@PrestonTVNews) 11 декабря 2017 г.
Explosion at times square
— Bert Hubbard (@Preach_Love) 11 декабря 2017 г.
train station.
In Manhattan 42nd street
8th avenue. #NYC #Timesquare #RushHour pic.twitter.com/hkvxvakMZX
The emergency services and law enforcement forces are working at the site, according to photos from social media.
Heavy emergency service response to reports of an explosion in Manhattan, New York. pic.twitter.com/8BaXMaGz1F
— Jack Dawkins (@NewJackDawkins) 11 декабря 2017 г.
The NYPD has asked people to avoid the blast area, informing people that buses are bypassing the Port Authority and Times Square stations.
