What Was Sayfullo Saipov's Motive? Manhattan Shooter Killed 8, Injured Others

Police are investigating an apparent act of terrorism after a truck plowed into civilians on a bike path in New York City's West Side Highway Tuesday. The suspect with a truck entered the West Street pedestrian bike path, which is located a few blocks north of Chambers Street in Manhattan.

Sayfullo Saipov, 29, was identified as the alleged shooter in the West Side Highway attack. He was accused of driving a Home Depot rental truck into civilians on a bike path in Lower Manhattan. He killed at least eight people and injured more than a dozen.

Video appears to show suspect in NYC truck attack running outside of his vehicle and then being taken into custody https://t.co/IML42gnQN1 pic.twitter.com/dX8F6RcY9T

— CNN (@CNN) October 31, 2017

"This was a cowardly act of terror," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a tweet Tuesday. "It was intended to break our spirit. But New Yorkers are resilient. We will be undeterred."

Rukmini Callimachi, a reporter for the New York Times who covers ISIS-related news, tweeted about the incident Tuesday.

"According to source, the suspect is being interviewed now at Bellevue. Description I was given: 'Male/possibly Middle Eastern/Full beard,'" she said. "Witnesses at the scene say he screamed out, 'Allah Akbar.' Next let me explain what ISIS is doing with this information."

Callimachi continued: "First, there has been no official claim from ISIS or any other terrorist group for this violence. If it's ISIS, they may never claim it. While there have been some exceptions, in general ISIS doesn't claim attacks if perpetrator is in custody."

But given all this information, she wrote, "pro-Islamic State channels on Telegram are hungrily sharing updates on their supposed 'brother.'"

Saipov was taken into custody immediately following the incident.

"Currently there is one person in custody," the NYPD wrote on Facebook Tuesday. "No others outstanding. All information is preliminary as the investigation is ongoing...The following information is preliminary as the investigation is ongoing."