Trump responds to New York terror act, calling attacker 'a very sick and deranged person"

pulse

October 31, 2017 9:52 PM

President Donald Trump reacted to what law enforcement sources suspect could be a terrorist attack.

President Donald Trump reacted to what law enforcement sources suspect could be a terrorist attack in New York City.
The attack left at least eight people dead.

President Donald Trump responded in a tweet on Tuesday to an attack that left at least eight people dead and 12 injured when a driver drove a truck through a bike lane in Manhattan.

"In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person," Trump tweeted. "Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!"

He continued: "We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!"

Several hours after publishing the initial tweet, the White House released a more formal statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of today’s terrorist attack in New York City and their families," the statement said.

"My Administration will provide its full support to the New York City Police Department, including through a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We offer our thanks to the first responders who stopped the suspect and rendered immediate aid to the victims of this cowardly attack. These brave men and women embody the true American spirit of resilience and courage. I will continue to follow developments closely."

The driver of a rented Home Depot pickup truck struck numerous individuals along the West Side Highway in Manhattan, before the drive exited the vehicle brandishing what law enforcement described as "imitation firearms." The suspect was shot by police, and taken into custody.

In a press conference on Tuesday evening, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed that at least eight people were dead, and decried the incident as a terrorist attack.

"This was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians," De Blasio said at a press conference.

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