Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a news conference that the terrorist Akayed Ullah, 27, detonated a “low-tech device” in a passageway between 2 subway lines just before 7:30 a.m. Ullah who wore the explosive device was the only person really seriously injured from the bomb suffering burns and wounds to his abdomen and hands, according to authorities. 3 other people suffered minor injuries, in stable condition and be discharged home today. Cuomo said: “This is New York; the reality is that we are a target by many who would like to make a statement against democracy, against freedom.”
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called it an attempted terrorist attack,” and said there was no other additional threat to New York City presently. The transit system captured the incident on video which is now being investigated by authorities. Mayor de Blasio said: “Thank God the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goals.”
Law Enforcement authorities said that Ullah was inspired by ISIS to do the attack, but had no direct contact with ISIS. The NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said the suspect talked but wouldn’t elaborate on what he said. Ullah put the battery pack and 5-inch metal pipe bomb into the right side of his jacket and tied it with ties. He said he made the bomb where he works at the electrical company. The part of Brooklyn with a significant Bangladeshi population was soon filled with a significant police presence to make sure there was no further unrest.
President Trump was briefed on the incident and it is expected he will make a statement soon. This is the second terorist attck in NYC from a foreign national living there in the past 2 months.
Port Authority is the largest bus terminal in the U.S. On any given day about 232,000 commuters go through it. This will jump by 2040 to 337,000 daily. After temporary and short closure the Port Authority Bus Terminal reopened. After the incident a few subway lines were instructed to bypass Times Square and Port Authority.
