Sayfullo Saipov

Mass Murderer

Sayfullo Saipov and the 2017 New York City Truck Attack

Background

Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov was responsible for the October 31, 2017, vehicle-ramming attack on a crowded bicycle path in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Driving a rented pickup truck, Saipov deliberately struck cyclists and pedestrians along the Hudson River Greenway, killing eight people and injuring at least 11 others. The attack was carried out in support of the Islamic State terrorist organization and became the deadliest terrorist attack in New York City since September 11, 2001. Saipov was born on February 8, 1988, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, which was then part of the Soviet Union. He entered the United States in 2010 through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program and became a lawful permanent resident. He lived at different times in Ohio, Florida, and New Jersey and worked in transportation-related jobs, including as a commercial truck driver and rideshare driver. By 2017, he was living in Paterson, New Jersey.

Planning the Attack

According to evidence presented by federal prosecutors, Saipov became absorbed in Islamic State propaganda and collected extremist videos and images on his electronic devices. Investigators determined that he had been considering an attack for an extended period and had studied Islamic State instructions encouraging supporters to use vehicles as weapons against civilians. Saipov selected Halloween because he expected large numbers of people to be outside. He also chose a route near several prominent New York City landmarks, including the World Trade Center complex. On October 22, 2017, nine days before the attack, he rented a truck and conducted a test drive to familiarize himself with operating the vehicle and traveling through the area. He later told investigators that he initially intended to continue toward the Brooklyn Bridge, where he hoped to strike additional pedestrians.

The October 31, 2017 Attack

On the afternoon of October 31, 2017, Saipov rented a white Ford Super Duty pickup truck from a Home Depot location in Passaic, New Jersey. He drove across the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan and traveled south along the West Side Highway. At approximately 3:05 p.m., near Houston Street and Pier 40, he turned the truck onto the protected Hudson River Greenway bicycle path. Saipov drove south through an area reserved for cyclists and pedestrians. He accelerated as he pursued people along the path, striking individuals and groups who had little opportunity to escape. Among those in his path were tourists, New York residents, commuters, and people enjoying an afternoon bicycle ride. The truck traveled approximately one mile between Houston Street and Chambers Street, leaving victims and damaged bicycles scattered along the route. One group consisted of longtime friends from Rosario, Argentina. The men had attended the Instituto Politécnico Superior together and traveled to New York to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their graduation. Five members of the group were killed, while another member was seriously injured. A Belgian tourist, Ann-Laure Decadt, was also killed while cycling with members of her family. Several other Belgian visitors suffered severe injuries. The attack ended near Chambers Street when Saipov drove across a median and crashed the truck into a school bus carrying children and adults. People aboard the bus were injured in the collision. The crash prevented Saipov from continuing toward the Brooklyn Bridge and brought the vehicle to a stop near Stuyvesant High School. ...

Confirmed Victims: (8)

Darren Drake 32 yr old Male

Sayfullo Saipov To Be Sentenced To Life In Prison For ...